Hurriyet, Turkey
Sept 6 2008

TURKISH PREMIER INTERVIEWED ON RELATIONS WITH EU, ARMENIA, RUSSIA

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan replied to journalists’ questions
on his way back from his one-day visit to Damascus. He strongly
criticized CHP [Republican People’s Party] leader Deniz Baykal for
opposing President Gul’s visit to Yerevan, which he described as an
initiative to obstruct a plot. He said: "The uneasiness the left-wing
faction feels because of the absence of a leader has reached a peak
level." Prime Minister Erdogan replied to the questions that were put
to him by 10 journalists as follows:

Relations with EU: The Routine will not be disrupted

[Question] You found an opportunity to hold private talks with
President Nicholas Sarkozy. Can you comment on what you discussed?

[Erdogan] Yes, we discussed Turkey’s negotiations with the EU. The
talks are continuing in a satisfactory way. It seems that the routine
in the process will be maintained. We said that a problem must not
arise in the EU process. He responded by saying "we will take the
necessary steps." He viewed President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia
as a very positive development.

[Question] Would it not have been better if the prime minister visited
Yerevan?

[Erdogan] That would be a wrong assessment. First of all, President
Gul’s visit is not linked with political relations. The president of
Armenia invited the president of Turkey to watch a football
match. President Gul’s response to the invitation would affect
Turkey’s reputation in the world. Had he not decided to go to Armenia,
he would have been accused of not even attending a sports
activity. However, his decision obstructed such a plot. Why is the
matter not assessed in that way? The Caucasus Cooperation Pact should
also be considered. We have firmly established four of its
legs. Armenia is the next country. My foreign minister will discuss
the matter with his Armenian counterpart during the football match or
when the game ends. President Gul will also discuss it with President
Sarkisyan.

[Question] Can you comment on CHP leader Deniz Baykal’s statement that
President Gul "should also place a wreath at the [Armenian] genocide
monument?

[Erdogan] President Gul does not need advice from Deniz Baykal on
where he should place a wreath. I do not welcome such a statement
against the president of my country.

[Question] According to the outcome of a public opinion poll by the
Metropolis Research Company, only 4 per cent of the people trust Deniz
Baykal.

[Erdogan] The popularity of the leaders and the popularity of the
political parties differ in Turkey at the present time. The questions
on the confidence the people have in the leaders brought up one digit
figures. The votes of the leaders and those of the political parties
differ in Turkey. The left-wing faction has its own votes. The results
of the opinion polls in that faction and the outcome of our surveys
show that the absence of a leader in the left wing has reached a peak
level.

[Question] Are your votes higher than the votes of your party?

[Erdogan] According to a recent survey, my party’s votes are higher.

Football match in Armenia: Ambitious game

[Question] What is the result you expect from the national football
match in Armenia?

[Erdogan] Ambition will affect the technical capabilities of the
players. I expect the Turkish team to win under normal conditions. The
charisma we had in the European championship must not be harmed.

[Question] The under-21 years old national team lost its game. There
was disgusting cheering…

[Erdogan] Coach Fatih Terim called me. Preparations were made [in
Armenia] to welcome the team. We have established that serious
preparations have been made to welcome President Gul.

[Question] Turkey was unsuccessful in the Olympic Games. Do you have a
plan on the matter?

[Erdogan] I have discussed the problem with the ministers and the head
of the General Directorate of Youth and Sports. I will also discuss it
with the minister of national education and the head of the High
Education Council. Training must start from primary or secondary
schools. In fact, we have to establish universities for that
purpose. Some of the universities must move ahead in various
fields. The Istanbul Technical University was very successful in
basketball for some time in the past. The new rector of the university
informed me a few days ago that they decided to have their team move
up to the first league again. We might transfer foreign coaches for
the teams. We will study the matter.

Relations with Russia: Strategic neighbour

[Question] Can you comment on the crisis between Turkey and Russia and
the problem in the Caucasus?

[Erdogan] The Caucasus Cooperation Pact is important. The United
States is our ally. But, Russia is our strategic neighbour. We buy
two-thirds of the energy we need from Russia. That country is Turkey’s
partner number one in trade. It is the number one country in
tourism. No one must expect us to ignore all that. Our allies must
adopt an understanding approach. We have not deviated even by a single
millimetre from the Montreux Agreement. Neither the United States nor
NATO has created a problem. The ships, tonnages, and dates are
completely in accordance with the agreements. Various countries have
called for changes in the Montreux Agreement. However, we are not in
favour of that. The commander of our naval forces held talks with his
Russian counterpart on one of our ships. Similar meetings might
contribute to peace in the Black Sea region. The EU officially
supported the Caucasus Cooperation Platform today. Turkey is a
regional country. It solves its own problems. Our problems must not
make others uneasy.

[Question] The diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East are yielding
positive results. Can you comment on the EU reaction?

[Erdogan] We have taken resolute steps for many years. Trust is very
important. The sides concerned trust us very much. Many initiatives
were made in Israel in connection with the kidnapped
soldiers. However, a result has not been achieved yet. They expect us
to help them. Of course, we have not assumed a role on the
matter. Egypt will feel uneasy if we consider the situation and assume
a role. We can take action if Israel officially asks us to help. The
Gulf Cooperation Council refrained from concluding an agreement with a
foreign country until now. It has concluded an agreement with us for
the first time. That is very important. Positive developments area
taking place in the political, military, and economic fields. In fact,
the leader of one of the Gulf States has said, "We are satisfied with
all your contractors, except one." These are positive
developments. Turkey’s businessmen will have larger shares in the
future.

We will maintain our political work under the existing conditions

[Question] Reports say that the reasoned decision of the
Constitutional Court on the closure case against the AKP [Justice and
Development Party] will limit the sphere of politics. Can you comment?

[Erdogan] We will respect the decision of the Constitutional
Court. That is the only alternative we have. We will maintain our
political work under the existing conditions. However, I disagree with
the assessments that are made by the opposition parties. Neither I nor
my colleagues agree with the effort that is made to describe the AKP
as the focal point of anti-secular activities. The AKP is the
strongest political party in Turkey. Our people will respond to us in
a most favourable way in the elections that will be held in
2009. Legality in democracies depends on the people. The decisions are
made by the people. It is not up to the CHP to make decisions on
legality. The CHP was not even able to secure the support of the 20
per cent of the electorate for its legality during the elections on 22
July 2007. In fact, it should thank the Democratic Left Party for the
support it received. The legality of the AKP was supported by the 47
per cent of electorate. The outcome of the elections in 2009 will be
the most appropriate reaction to the controversy.

[Question] Do you expect votes from the political parties that are not
as fortunate as you are in Diyarbakir? Do you expect votes from their
supporters?

[Erdogan] There is no reason to prevent them from voting for us. My
party’s situation in southeastern Turkey is very favourable. We will
disclose our candidates in areas which do not support the AKP earlier.

[translated from Turkish]