Numan Kurtulmuş: “A Terror Free Turkey is a National Issue”
Numan Kurtulmuş, the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, made important statements on Turkey’s agenda in a live broadcast on NTV. Touching on critical issues such as parliamentary budget negotiations, the new constitution and the fight against terrorism, Kurtulmuş emphasized the steps Turkey needs to take for a strong democracy and a peaceful future.
Budget Negotiations and Parliamentary Work
Numan Kurtulmuş shared details about the ongoing budget negotiations in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Stating that the first stage took place in the Plan and Budget Commission, Kurtulmuş said that the budgets of the ministries were presented in the commission. During this process, he said, there were occasional discussions with opposition MPs. Referring to the blocking of Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya’s entrance to the commission hall, Kurtulmuş stated that this situation harmed the democratic functioning of the Parliament.
“There are 14 political parties represented in this Parliament and there is a period of polyphony. However, such obstructions harm democracy and the orderly functioning of the Parliament,” he said.
New Constitutional Work
Kurtulmuş said that Turkey needs a new constitution and that the 28th term parliament has a great responsibility in this regard. Stating that the parliament has the authority and capability to draft a new constitution, Kurtulmuş said, “This process should be carried out with the contribution of not only political parties but also the public.” He stated that after the completion of the budget negotiations, the constitutional work will be put back on the agenda.
Devlet Bahçeli’s Öcalan Call and the War on Terror
Commenting on MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli’s call for talks with Abdullah Öcalan, Kurtulmuş said that Turkey should take a decisive stance on the fight against terrorism. “Creating a terror-free Turkey should be the common goal of all of us. This is not only a matter of the government or the opposition, but of all of Turkey,” Kurtulmuş said, drawing attention to the plans of imperialist powers over the region.
“With the US invasion of Iraq, countries in the region were torn apart. In this process, we must be determined in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
“We are taking decisive steps for a terror-free Turkey”
Kurtulmuş emphasized that the fight against terrorism is of vital importance for Turkey’s peace and stability. “We do not accept politics with one hand on the ballot box and the other hand on the gun. No movement that does not lay down its arms can be included in the democratic order,” Kurtulmuş said, adding that the fight against terrorist organizations will continue.
“We will do our best for a terror-free Turkey. We must put aside political differences and show a common will on this issue,” he said.
Turkey’s Strong Stance
Kurtulmuş emphasized that Turkey will continue to take a strong stance against internal and external threats. He stated that the measures taken in the fight against terrorism include not only military, but also political and social dimensions. Stating that Turkey must act in unity and solidarity in order to reach a secure future, Kurtulmuş said, “Our goal is to completely remove terrorism from Turkey’s agenda and leave our people a country where they can live in peace.”
Conclusion
Numan Kurtulmuş once again emphasized Turkey’s determination in the fight against terrorism and its will for a new constitution. He expressed the need to act with common sense for Turkey to achieve a strong democracy and a peaceful future.
