Gov. and Parliament praised for commitment to EU
Addressing the Parliament in the opening speech of the new legislative year, Sezer said that progress made in reforms should be continued at the same pace without respite, adding that the practice and implementation of these policies should also be focused on.
He said he believed reforms in administrative and legal systems would continue in the coming year, stressing the importance of unity, cooperation and peace in this process of transformation.
He wished success and well being to all deputies, declaring his happiness at being present at the opening ceremony.
MEDIA BOSSES
He told deputies to be careful of monopolies or oligopolies in the media industry, noting that free media was essential to free speech.
He said media workers should be protected and public service positions should be free from politics.
ECONOMIC PROGRAM
Sezer said in order to continue on the road to recovery in the economy, government should continue with its program and implement policies that create jobs.
He said social peace and harmony would result from a successful economy.
CORRUPTION
Weakness at fighting corruption has deteriorated the faith and trust the people feel towards democracy, the state and the legal system, said President Sezer.
He said limitations imposed on parliamentary immunity of deputies were critical in this fight against corruption.
Financial sector and economic growth needed safety valves, organization and discipline, said Sezer, noting that economic growth was very important in developing Turkey.
“BE CAREFUL IN FOREIGN POLICY”
President Sezer said that threats to regional security and stability, question marks surrounding ethnic and religious differences show that Turkey had to be very careful in choosing a foreign policy decision, adding that Turkey’s partnership with United States was vital for both Turkey and the whole region.
He said Turkey would continue to be a stabilizing influence in the region in the future, adding that he believed issues with Greece could be solved with bilateral dialog, seeking every opportunity to develop friendship and trust.
CYPRUS
It was clear that there was no possibility of peace on the island of Cyprus by ignoring Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said Sezer.
IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORMS
Reforms passed by Parliament should now be implemented, said Sezer, adding that close scrutiny and inspection of the implementation process was vital for success. He said these steps were very important for Turkey’s European Union membership chances.
SENDING TROOPS TO IRAQ
He said it was clear that a broad examination of Turkey’s relations with regional communities, interests of the country, Turkey’s standing in the region should be taken into account before taking any decision concerning sending Turkish troops to Iraq to serve as peacekeepers, said President Sezer.
Parliament was the only body authorized to send Turkish troops overseas, noted Sezer, adding that Parliament must examine if international legitimacy principle was complied with. He said Parliament was constitutionally the only body that could take the decision, so it should deliberate long and hard before taking such a decision.
He noted Turkey was more interested in the future of Iraq than any other nationality currently serving in Iraq.
TERTIARY EDUCATION COUNCIL (YOK)
Reforms should be according to the honor and prestige of the universities, said Sezer, adding that academic reforms should take precedence over political reforms.
He said the importance of the issue was such that the proposed reforms in the Tertiary Education Council (YOK) should be debated in public, before political parties take up the issue.
He also noted that currently compulsory education was between 11 to 13 years in all developed nations, calling on the parliamentarians to extend compulsory education to 12 years.
He said preparations for such a move should be completed as soon as possible.
ENERGY
He said the biggest problem Turkey faced in its energy market was that it was dependent on foreign resources.
