REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT As in almost every country, a
development gap between regions has also come about in our country over
time. The geographical locations of regions, the distribution of
natural resources, relations with neighbouring countries, various
socioeconomic factors as well as lack of sufficient infrastructure and
acts of terrorism have contributed to that. It
is the State's responsibility to reduce the development gap between
regions within the context of the principle enshrined in article 166 of
the Constitution where it is stated that development should take place
in a balanced and harmonious manner throughout the country.
The State has put into effect the Eastern and
Southeastern Anatolian Action Plan pertaining to the fields of public
administration, economy, health, education, culture and public
relations in May 2000 in areas most affected by the economic and social
destruction caused by terrorism. It is of utmost importance that the
abovementioned actions are swiftly implemented by providing sufficient
funds. Importance should be attributed to the
development of human resources and socio cultural activities in the
region. A greater participation from women in socio economic activities
should be achieved. Efforts should be exerted for an increased
enrollment to vocational technical training schools. FOREIGN
POLICY The underlying factor in the
achievements of our Republic since its foundation, is the adoption of
Great Leader Atatürk's understanding of "Peace at home, peace in the
world" as our main principle and its thorough implementation.
Foremost among the principles on which our
foreign policy rests is respect of the independence, sovereignty and
territorial integrity of other states. Turkey aims to develop friendly
relations with all countries on these bases. Consistency, credibility,
common sense and determination are among the basic principles of our
foreign policy. Turkish foreign policy
advocates an order resting on international law as stipulated in the
Charter of the United Nations of which it is a member, and supports the
independent and prosperous development of all nations free from all
external pressures. Maintaining good relations
with all the countries and in particular with our neighbours, figures
among the basic principles shaping our foreign policy.
Turkey pays special attention to adapt to the
changing geostrategic situations of our times and has to face up to the
threats and uncertainties it encounters. The
uncertainties faced in the sphere of security, especially ethnic and
religious conflicts that threaten peace and stability in our region
underscores the requirement to be very careful in the field of foreign
policy. Peaceful and conciliatory approaches
and international cooperation based on common interests will enable us
to overcome the problems we are facing. Turkey
which has always embraced these rational approaches will continue to be
an element of stability in its region and the world through its foreign
policy. USA The relations between Turkey and
its friend and ally the United States of America are based on solid
foundations. Certain disturbances that we experienced in the recent
past did not change this fact. We are glad that these problems are now
overcome. The strategic partnership between
Turkey and the United States of America is based on mutual confidence
and benefit. We highly value this partnership which has come to
maturity at the end of a lengthy process. The partnership between
Turkey and the United States of America is indispensably important not
only for our bilateral relations but also for our region.
So far, cooperation with the United States of
America has been realized in a vast geography comprising the Balkans,
the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The joint position that
we pursued as two allies in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist
attacks has constituted the most concrete demonstration of this
cooperation. We want to continue and deepen this cooperation in the
coming period in a way contributing to stability and prosperity in the
vast region around Turkey. We are pleased that the same desire is also
shared by the United States of America. NATO We
attribute special importance to the transatlantic link and cooperation.
Accordingly, I would like to emphasize the fundamental importance we
attach to preserving the transatlantic link and the primary and pivotal
role of NATO in European security with full respect to the principle of
maintaining the indivisibility of security .
The NATO Alliance, which we have been a proud member for many years,
maintains its prominent position in our foreign policy.
We believe that as NATO members, our
priorities in the forthcoming period should be geared towards
overcoming the adverse implications of disaccord stemming from the
Iraqi crisis and that has affected transatlantic relations; and to
maintain the political and military efficiency of the Alliance as a
collective defense organization. PRESS One of
the indispensable elements of democracy is an independent and free
press. While codifying media regulations, it
should be taken into account that freedom of press is the most
important element which vitalizes democracy and Constitutional rules.
Freedom of press should be protected against private forces as well as
public ones. In this context, emphasis should
be put on preventing certain persons or groups from taking control of
the media. A monopolized media may on the one hand, reach levels of
power paving the way for injustice in the economic field, while on the
other hand it may limit the right to access information and serve
interestoriented purposes. Abuse of the power
of media will not only harm public interest and public order, but also
affect democracy negatively.
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