Today’s Zaman, Turkey
APril 18 2010

Premier ErdoÄ?an describes proposal of Baykal as "too diluted and unserious"

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an on Saturday described
proposal of Republican People’s Party (CHP) chairman on constitutional
amendment package as "too diluted and unserious."

Responding to questions in a private TV channel, ErdoÄ?an said works on
the constitutional amendment actually had started in 2007 by
academicians, and later jurists and NGOs were included in the process.

"There was a consensus in Turkey that 1982 Constitution had to change.
We made a call to the parties in the parliament to amend the
constitution however they did not respond affirmatively,"he said.

ErdoÄ?an said it was Parliament which would discuss constitutional
amendment. "Why does not CHP make a call to the Parliament Speaker for
talks on the amendment but does it to the President. Mr. Baykal is
trying to pull our President to the arena."

ErdoÄ?an said they would make an overall constitutional change after
2011, when they got the authority from the nation. "We will base an
important part of our election campaign on this to get the authority."

ErdoÄ?an said that there has never been such an opposition which
disturbed the Constitiunal Court so much. He said, "CHP took such
steps that it turned the Constitutional Court into its own reception
hall."

"AK Party consider constitutional amendment process an important step
of national unity and fraternity project," he said.

ErdoÄ?an said EU member countries and the United States followed the
works on constitutional amendment, noting that some countries
commended the efforts after examining the studies.

Asked about his expectations from the voting of the constitutional
amendment bill and referendum, ErdoÄ?an said there would not be an open
voting in the parliament and added that AK Party expected support from
all the parties.

ErdoÄ?an said he thought that the constitutional package would upgrade
Turkey’s democratic standards and give self confidence.

Commenting on the investments of international capital in Turkey,
ErdoÄ?an said many international organizations were getting ready to
invest in Turkey.

"I believe that Turkey will attract a serious capital from the Gulf
countries. International market sees Turkey as a country of confidence
and stability. 2010 will definitely be ahead of 2009 in inflow of
foreign capital."

ErdoÄ?an estimated Turkey’s global market to amount to 30 billion USD
in 2012 and 2013.

Asked about opening of border pass with Armenia, ErdoÄ?an said, "Turkey
is committed to pacta sunt servanda within the framework of
international law. We support what has been told in Zurich. We can not
make deviation from there."

18 April 2010, Sunday
THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY ANKARA