THE PROGRAM OF THE 59TH GOVERNMENT

Distinguished Speaker,
Distinguished Deputies,

On behalf of the 59th Government of our Republic and the 2nd Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Government, I would like to respectfully greet our esteemed nation and you as this great nation’s Deputies.

At the beginning of my speech, I would like to express my gratitude to all those and especially to Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who have served our esteemed nation. I would like to express the great respects of my Government to all those who have provided their individual contributions to the service of our nation.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate our nation on the occasion of yet another anniversary of the Çanakkale Victory and as I bow with respect in front of the sacred memory of all those martyrs who sacrificed their lives in turning these lands into a shrine, I would like to express my happiness that we are able to present our Government Programme to the Grand National Assembly on the anniversary of such an epic victory.

As you know, the Government Programme that I am about to present to you, explains not only “the governance technique” of the 59th Government but “the governance rationale” of our Party which has accomplished a major change in Turkish political life as well. Thus, there exists an organic continuity between the 58th and the 59th Governments with respect to their governance rationales.

Before I start to explain our governance technique, in accordance with the identity of our Government, I would like to expound first on our approach to politics, to society and the notion of Government. Since I believe that a Government needs to explain its political perspective before it starts to present its choice of political governing methods. I attach importance to this issue. Today, the AK Party is the governing Party and CHP represents the main opposition. We also need to keep in mind that, this means that there is a “conservative democratic” party at the Government and a “social democratic” party at the opposition. Thus, we believe in the need of explaining our political perspective that we view as very important with respect to politics of the future. Doing this, we will have presented our governance rationale to Grand National Assembly and to our esteemed nation.

Distinguished Deputies,

AK Party defines its political identity as being “conservative democrat”.

AK Party, starting from our own tradition of thought, aims to reproduce our national and well-established system of values through its conservative political path that complies with universal standards. The application of the new conservative democratic approach in accordance with the genes and historical codes of conservatism, but with the support of the social and cultural traditions of the geography in which we are exercising politics, will bring a fresh breath to Turkish politics. AK Party upholds to reproduce by its tradition of thought a political approach that is being tested all around the world rather than borrowing one from the past or a different platform of civilization.

According to our conservative democratic identity, which provides the ground for our political understanding, politics is an area of conciliation.

We recognize the diversity and variety that exists in social domain also in politics, and we invite all sides in politics to conciliation at all grounds. In our view, diversity is natural and it is a richness. Social and cultural variety should provide new colors in politics on the ground of tolerance produced by democratic pluralism. We believe that participatory democracy may develop itself through providing a chance of representation to differences and their inclusion in the political system.

The conservative understanding of the AK Party places the political authority on a further foundation of legitimacy than legal and political legitimacy and believes that in recognition of the existing society, it should function in accordance with its will and values.

We do not assume an approach to government based on mere numerical supremacy. We believe in a political understanding that derives power form social agreement. In our view the main pillar of political authority is its recognition by the national will communicated through general approval of the nation. The source of legal legitimacy is, without any doubt, the Constitution of the Turkish Republic, which is the symbol of political existence of the nation.

The conservative identity of the AK Party rejects persistent political approach “that supports the focusing of political power in the hands of a single person or group, that is against individual and political freedoms, that rejects all forms of political participation and envisages use of pressure and force”.

Idea of bringing limitations to political authority (state or government) is one of the arguments that our conservatism based political perception is most persistent on.

In our view, totalitarian and authoritarian understandings that cannot be limited, that provides for arbitrariness and illegality, that does not value participation and representation and, that disrespects individual and collective freedoms are the greatest opponents of democratic politics. AK Party Government views all persuasive, dictating, uniformist approaches based on social engineering as obstacles for a healthy democratic system.

General attitude of our conservative democrat political identity can be summarized as “defending the idea of a state limited by the rule of law, and disapproving what is dogmatic and doctrinal”.

In this context, the role of the Government is limited to “securing constitutional order and justice” rather than “to seeking power for imposing choices”. In our view, the requirement for the rule of law is to limit political authority and all institutions by a legal framework. Besides, definition of the State by itself as a dogmatic area by an ideological preference is an approach that should not be advocated. A small but dynamic and effective State that has withdrawn to its basic functions is a State that is defined, controlled and shaped by its citizens, rather than one that defines, shapes and imposes preferences to its citizens.

In our view, with the help of the power of control that State enjoys, political actions that lack participatory democracy has created vast damage in the mid-level institutions and made freedom mostly not enjoyable.

In our view, the Non Governmental Organizations carry great importance in a democratic society. Creation of a civic and free environment and protection of the individual against the State depends on them. AK Party Government attaches importance to civic politics and believes in the value of civic society in politics.

Main philosophical and political concern of our conservative identity is to keep social organism, which can serve as a family that could protect the individual together and healthy. In our view, establishment of individual freedom can be achieved through providing the individual with civic and social bodies rather than leaving him abstract, trivial and unprotected in the face of political authority. The basis should be the protection of the society and the social values.

Government understanding of the AK Party, views the socializing role of the family as the building stone of the society as obligatory.

AK Party Government, by respecting cultural diversities, defends respect for the special institutions of all societies for the development of democracy. In this regard, conservatism represents a “democrat” perspective rather than a frozen and solid ideology. In our view, democratic ground is one that all problems can be presented, all social demands can be reflected, where right and wrong can be corrected through self-testing. Diversities and varieties in Turkish society are components that enrich pluralistic democracy.

What makes democracy acceptable is the fact that it can integrate differences between communities and cultures and it can guard the established order from ideological and political excesses. Our government views democratic culture as the main principle of its policy.

We believe that the type of articulation and manner used which leads to tension does not serve Turkish politics; we believe that Turkish politics ought to be constructed on reconciliation, unification and understanding instead of conflict and polarization. We also believe that moderation is the general wish of the public.

Conservatism attaches importance to the ideal world based on justice and freedom, however, it rejects all forms of societal engineering which is used to lead to that end.

Political traditions come about after they go through the tunnel of time and the filter of experience and they can only be lasting if they can be accepted by the community by passing the test that real life brings. With its political identity the government of the AK Party believes in this principle and its efforts are geared towards becoming a determining factor in current and future Turkish politics within the framework of the interests of the country and the people.
 

Distinguished Deputies,

The first AK Party Government, namely the 58th government of the Republic came into office under very hard conditions. Nevertheless, with a valuable politician and statesman such as Mr. Abdullah Gül as its Prime Minister who had foresight and efficiency, it was able to search for urgent solutions to tackle the problems facing our people and it was able to take the necessary serious steps in order to make the structural changes and reforms needed so that these kinds of problems could be avoided in the future.

The governing logic of the AK Party is based mainly on strengthening the ties between the State and society, on expanding the scope of politics, on restoring the confidence between the political institutions and society as well as responding to the maximum extent possible, to the demands and expectations of the people.

The first period of Government of the AK Party has been a political period that can be shown as an example where, the constitutional institutions were utilised in an efficient and productive manner, where, by taking into consideration the sensitivity of the people, confidence was installed into the markets. In this way not only did we earn the respect of our people but we were also able to attain the duly deserved place for our country by increasing the esteem of our country in the world outside.

Mr. Speaker,
Distinguished Deputies,

The AK Party will not let Turkey lose time with internal political polarizations. This was the case during the first period in government and it will be the same in its second period in office which can also be called the second rocket boost stage. All of the policies of the 59th government will be geared towards meeting the demands of the people by striving to attaining full democracy, a structure of flawless fundemantal rights and freedoms, efficient foreign policy and a production infrastructure which can compete in international markets.

Distinguished Deputies,

Due to the implementation of wrong policies in the past, the role of the state in the economy could not be adjusted to the changing conditions, justice in the distribution of welfare among different segments of society and regions could not be achieved and a healthy privatization could not be realized.The political mentality which was dispersed of by the AK Party with the elections of 3 November had, guarded the inefficient and centralized structure and had established direct links between their own narrow interests and were far from being interested in trying to rule Turkey for the future.

The economic policies implemented by the old and worn out political mentality was unsuccessful, this resulted in the biggest economic crises in the history of the Republic and it led to the impoverishment of our people in an extent that had never been seen before. The resolve to escape from this bitter scenario came into being during the first period in office for the Justice and Development Party, namely the distinguished 58th government of the Republic and received the active support of our nation.

Our government thinks that our country did not deserve any of these developments and firmly believes that with her young and dynamic population, unique geographical position, rich natural resources and cultural background, has the potential to become an influential member of the new world.

Our government has set to reunite the state and politics with the people and to reestablish a future of hope and trust under the leadership of honest, brave, knowledgeable and qualified cadres with a comprehensive program.

This program we are submitting to our esteemed Parliament was developed after an extensive preparation phase and was shaped on the realities of our country and the world. The program includes our policies on major issues and was treated in a comprehensive manner which we believe will elevate our contry to the place it deserves in the future.

Our government which is proud to be the expression of the Justice and Development Party’s mentality of governing which echoes the society’s demands and collective conscience will ;

• Attain economic stability,
• Establish a competitive market structure,
• Attain an environment of sustainable development and will justly distribute the benefits arising from economic prosperity,
• Fight efficiently against poverty and corruption and eliminate all obstacles including immunity from prosecution concerning all public sector employees,
• Achieve an environment where our people will live freely in peace and prosperity,
• Establish a country that has united with the world; where differences are regarded not as an element of conflict but a source of enrichment,
• Bring to life the will of the nation which is respectable, democratic and dynamic.

The political reason for the existence of our government is to to realise this vision and to manage the political power within the constitutional framework and under the instructions of the nation.

Distinguished Deputies,

Respect for the international principles of law, the right to pursue one’s rights, equality in front of the law, the use of individual or collective rights and freedoms and the establishment of respect of law of the administration are all principle norms in democratic countries. These are the “sine qua non” of the Justice and Development Party’s mentality of governance.

The AK Party believes that the route for establishing lasting confidence in public administration passes through these values.

According to our understanding of law and justice, within the framework of the supremacy of law, the state will not be able to discriminate against the society or the individuals based on their language, race, color, gender, political affiliation, philosophical beliefs or religion. Those who strive after discriminative policies on these issues will find the government of the Justice and Development Party in front of them as an obstacle that cannot be surmounted.

Due to the many restrictive clauses in our legislation, our country gives an image of being a state of law rather than being governed by the rule of law.

During our term of office our work will concentrate on; elevating the law in our country to the level of international principles of law, increasing the fundemental rights and freedoms regime to international standards, to create a true system in our country which will be based on the rule of law and to strive to attain supremacy of law thereby earning a respectable place in the international arena. That is why, as a confirmation of our sensitivities, straight after our electoral victory we went on an EU tour where we were able to obtain a date for a date for negotiations with the EU which would commence on December 2004.

Immediately after our electoral victory we visited EU member countries. The fact that as a result of these visits we obtained the date of December 2004 as the date for the initiation of accession negotiations for full membership to the EU is an indication of the confirmation of our sensitivities.

Following are some of the basic arrangements that we shall implement during our tenure of government in order to form a system of law where human rights will be raised to and implemented at universal level, the rule of law will be achieved and democracy will function with all its institutions and rules:

• We shall prepare a participatory constitution favoring freedoms to replace the current one which has now proven to be too tight to our country. While incorporating our own ideas, we promise to endeavor to ensure the most efficient participation of the opposition parties and all the segments of the society during the drafting of the new constitution.
• Instead of a constitution which requires constantly new amendments, the drafting of a new constitution, which will take our country into the future, is a responsibility we need to fulfill for the future of our children. Our new constitution will bear the mentality of a democratic state of the rule of law, based on a pluralist and participatory democracy that gives priority to individual rights and freedoms, conforms with international and specifically EU norms and enjoys strong social legitimacy.
• The laws on Political Parties and Elections will be amended, by seeking the consensus of all the sectors of the society, in order to open the political parties to masses, to increase the supervision and influence of the public on the political parties, to establish internal democracy and transparency within the parties, to achieve transparency and attain justice in representation without harming stability.
• Our aim is to become a society of peace free from fear, violence, oppression and crimes and benefiting from the blessings of freedom. “Protective Law” will be initiated in order to prevent conflicts before they emerge; furthermore, an approach to friendly settlement of conflicts will be established.
• Basic laws such as the Turkish Penal Code, the Turkish Commercial Law, the Law of Bankruptcy and Confiscation and the Labour Law will be updated taking into consideration contemporary developments and EU norms. Some of these laws have already been presented before the Parliament and some of them will be completed by the end of the year. As during the tenure of the 59th Government we will proceed under the guidance of the works carried out during the 58th Government, it will be easier to achieve efficient results.

Distinguished Deputies,

As far as the functioning of the judiciary system is concerned, it would be difficult to ascertain that we give the image of being fully in harmony with the principles of a state of the rule of law. The slow pace of the judiciary process adversely affects the confidence placed in the judicial system. This, in turn, occasionally leads our citizens to resorting to their own means to seek justice, rather than making use of the regular channels within the judicial system, or turning to organizations outside the judicial structure. Simply losing hope and settling for and accepting injustice is not uncommon. All necessary arrangements will be taken in order to ensure the delivery of full and timely justice.

• Modern equipments will be supplied to the judiciary, in accordance with the needs of our era and service requirements. Courts will be provided with electronic archive facilities which will enable rapid access to necessary information, documents and decisions on precedent. Networks set up among various departments of the judiciary will carry the judicial system to levels required by the information age. The National Judiciary Network Project (NJNP) prepared in this framework will be completed by the end of the year.

As a result of the importance we attach to this subject, the biggest allocation within the budget of the Ministry of Justice has been assigned to this expenditure.

• Legislation regarding judgment execution will correspond with current norms. Problems of prisons and places of detention will be addressed by the establishment of a modern organization, provision of sufficient personnel and relevant physical means.

Distinguished Deputies,

We have to build a public administration system in line with the concept of modern administration. Our Government is resolved to achieve this transformation. In this framework;

In order to overcome centralized and highly hierarchical structures;

During the tenure of our Government a comprehensive reform of the local authorities will be carried out in line with the principles of participatory and pluralist democracy and efficiency in administration.

• We will align national priorities and local differences and adopt the basic principle of providing services locally; we will transfer all services, apart from those which have to be carried out by the central government, with their resources to the local administrations.
• We will attach importance to democratization at the local level and limit the control authority of central administration on local institutions established by elections with control of conformity to law.
• In the framework of the Reform of the Local Authorities, we will redefine the distribution of functions, responsibilities and resources between the central administration and local authorities based on our understanding of a unitary state and in accordance with the principles of efficiency, productivity and modern administration.

Through the restructuring of Provincial Administrations;

• The Ministries’ authorities and powers in rural areas will be handed over to the Governorates and Provincial Special Administrations.
• Taking into account local preferences, health, educational, cultural, social assistance related, tourism, environmental, agricultural, stock-breeding, construction and transportation services will be provided at provincial level.
• We will conduct a study on “Overall Organizational Review of the State” and we will redefine as a whole the number and size of the ministries, as well as the work of all related and associated institutions of other public organizations.
• We will abolish the unnecessary institutions in the administration, merge similar structures, decrease administrative levels within the institutions and simplify formalities. The works which have already been initiated on this matter will be completed expeditiously.

In order to increase social monitoring and participation;

• It is necessary to deal with the concept of “confidentiality” with a new and modern understanding. During the tenure of the Justice and Development Party Government, the concept of confidentiality will be more limited to the benefit of the right to acquire information.
• We will spread the right to acquire information to all levels of society and we will pass the “Law on the Right of Citizens to Acquire Information”. The draft of the abovementioned law is ready. In the framework of Justice and Development Party’s participatory politics understanding, this draft is open to the attention, criticism and contributions of our citizens.
• With the help of new information and communication technologies, we will provide transparency in the administration, inform the public about services and operations of the public institutions.
• To increase efficiency in the public sector and to achieve transparency, necessary arrangements will be made for the service units to present performance reports to the Parliament and the public.

In order to reduce paperwork, formality, bureaucracy and inefficiency

• The legislation and administrative rules in the sectors providing direct services to the citizens will be simplified.
• By making utmost use of information and communication technologies at public institutions, the implementation of the e-state will be spread.
• Bureaucratic obstacles for the investors will be abolished and duplications in demands for documents and information will be prevented.

In order to prevent institutional enlargement and bulkiness

• Public personnel will be trained and additional recruitment for temporary and unqualified jobs will be avoided.
• The distribution of personnel within and among the institutions, as well as among regions will be rearranged and the lack of personnel in places where services are directly provided to citizens will be mitigated.

In order to eliminate favoritism and decadence

• Objective criteria will be established in recruitment of personnel, and the principle of merit and equal opportunity will be adopted in promoting personnel.
• The Economic and Social Council will be used efficiently at the national level and similar structures bringing the public administrators and political officials together with the representatives of the private sector and non-governmental organizations will be established at the regional and local levels. Meeting of the Economic and Social Council, that had not met for quite a while, under the 58th Government is a clear proof our promises.

Distinguished Deputies,

The reform in the central administration has been begun with the Prime Ministry. In this context, the associated institutions have been handed over to the executive ministries and the Prime Ministry has, to a large extent, been discharged from being an office of an executive nature. The number of Ministers of State that are to assist the Prime Minister has been reduced and this way, the Council of Ministers is formed on the basis of efficiency. I hereby declare to the public that we will continue to take steps in this direction in the near future.

These acts by our Government indicating its reformist character have been welcomed by the public in general and have contributed to building confidence in the markets. In this context:

• The management of economy will be united under one umbrella. The necessary legislative arrangements will be made.
• The number and the size of existing ministries and related and associated institutions will be considered as a whole and, as the most important aspect of reform in the central administration, the mandate and authorities of the Ministries will be redefined.

Distinguished Speaker,
Distinguished Deputies,

Turkey’s economy presents a synthetic look and has a weak institutional structure. Implementation of three three-year economic programs within the last three years has proven that these programs, in general, could not reach their objectives. Among the primary reasons for poor economic performance are ethical risk, incoherent preferences and mismanagement of resources, vulnerability towards shocks and openness, ineffective arrangement-monitoring and sanction mechanisms.

Chaotic programs, reforms and arrangements that cannot generate coherent and synergic outcomes; loss of the balance between inflation, interest and exchange rates; industrial, agricultural and service sectors that can not be organized in an effective manner, resulting in losses of huge amounts in production and value-added; neglect of national capital; significant drops in the investment process; inability to establish reasonable and sustainable budget and foreign trade balance; drastic increase in internal and external debt burden; severe economic crisis have resulted in outcomes of high economic, social and political costs of recent economy managements.

This outcome proves that social dynamics, alongside numeric factors, have undeniable importance for economy. It needs to be mentioned that Turkey’s social capital is also damaged in this process. The most important reason is the loss of an environment of trust and stability. To regenerate trust in the economic units and to reestablish respect for politics, attention will be given to certain arrangements and applications in the political decision making process. In this framework;

• The public’s demands and wishes will be reflected directly on the political process.
• Transparency and accountability will be implemented.
• Policies will be supported by strong political will.
• Conformity with agreements and international standards will be the basic criteria in the continuation of the state’s commitments.

Our Government, under the authority taken from the public, will primarily aim at the establishment of:

• Democratic market economy and community,
• Effective and transparent financial and monetary sector,
• A bureaucracy endowed with ethical values,
• A system of international standards of arrangement, monitoring and sanction,
• An economic environment whereby competition, efficiency, productivity and alternative costs function as important indicators.

With an eye to the shortcomings and inadequacy of the present economic program, our Government will implement a new economic policy that would be supported by the public, aiming to reduce the inflation to single-digit figures, reduce the stock of public debt, to reach a high and stable growth performance.

Economy management will establish a general vision and mission, by taking into consideration the expectations of the public and the commitments of the State. In this framework, in order to achieve economic success, what should be avoided matter more than what needs to be done. Our Government, within this framework will attach particular importance to establishing an environment that would obviate to the following:

• Unjust decisions and acts that would disturb the balance among economic units,
• Presentation of wrong, incompelete or faulty data and information, hiding information,
• Abolishment of right and freedom to engage in economic activity,
• Economic and financial activities that are distant from risk-revenue relationship within the international context,
• Use of public resources for private benefit and objectives.
• Neglecting creative competition both at macro and micro levels.Attack and slander against individual rights.

In such an environment, the possibility of the conjunctural problems being transformed into structural problems would decrease significantly.

Distinguished Deputies,

Our government has determined the following priorites in line with the 58th Government Program and election declaration, while assessing the current state of the economy and its future.

• Completing the rehabilition and reconstruction process of the economy,
• To restart economic growth,
• To reduce poverty and unemployment,
• To restructure and reshape the State, and its institutions, in terms functions, authority and accountabilty witihin the confines of universal values, modern standards and effective implementation,
• To reduce bureaucracy,
• To introduce regulation preventive of corruption and leniency for criminal activity.
• To speed and finalize the EU membership process,
• To prepare the environment that enables Turkey to become a regional economic power and financial center.

Our Government will adopt pragmatic implementations to address the needs of its citizens and the “real economy,” as well as the general approach to the economy and focusing on the macro management of monetary balances. Policies towards increasing the living standards of citizens along with sustainable growth in the GDP in real terms will be agressively pursued.

No sustainable economic policy can be produced without economic growth nor can there be any economic growth without investment. Our strategic priority that aims to rejuvenate the national economy is to increase investment by encouraging foreign direct capital while ensuring further inclusion of national capital. Macro-economic policies consistent with this target will be developed and executed. A special attention will also be given to the project of amelioration of the invesment environment along the lines of the general framework drawn by the 58th Government.

Amelioration of the invesment environment will be ensured through:

• Effective and result-oriented structural reforms,
• Modernization and restructuring of industrial and energy sectors,
• Reboosting of the agriculture,
• Modernization of the foods sector,
• Development of the forestry,
• Development of public works and housing,
• Rehabiltion of the infrastructure and modernization of tranport,
• Development of information technology and communications,
• Strengthening tourism and diversification of goods and services in this sector,
• Effective management of water resources,
• Protection of the envronment,
• Support for small and medium scale enterprises and cooperatives,
• Restructuring the financial services sector,
• Encouragement of foreign capital,
• Increasing the exports.

The mission, strategic objective and the vision of our Government is to lay the foundations for the society of the new century, and to construct the simple, strong and effective State. In pursuit of this goal, structural efforts to meet the demand of our people for a State that serves its people will be emphasized.

The principle of “more production, more work and more business now!” will be the fundamantal chracteristic of our plans and vision for the “real sector.* One of the important priorties of our Government is to create a happy Turkey and to increase the standards of living of all by fighting unemployment.

With the policies to be implemented the potential of the country will be developed in order to increase business opportunities, opening up to new markets for exporters, revitalization of regional activities, renewal of the infrastructure for the ‘real sector.’

The ‘real sector’ policy will be constructed by taking into account the three important aspects of growth, which are reforms, investment and exports.

The proplems faced by the ‘real sector’ will be solved through action plans constructed by flexible, sector** oriented and sector friendly refoms in light of priorites and recommendations laid out by the representatives of the sector. The structure and substance of the action plans will be based on the logic of turning Turkey into a “supermarket” of the region and the sustainment thereof.

The financial sector vision of our Government is to strengthen the eligibility of Turkey as a regional financial center. The enhancement of competitiveness and effectiveness of the financial sector will provide an important advantage to meet the demands for financial goods and services of the region and will provide significant support for increasing the international competitive edge of the Turkish economy.

Distinguished Deputies,

The basic aspects our economic programme are:

• Macro-economic stability,
• Micro-economic liberalization, and,
• Opening up to international markets.

Our Government, as a natural outcome of this approach, will produce and execute policies to develop regional and local economic areas and to increase the effectiveness of the already existing ones.

Our Government’s economic reform program, in a general framework, consists of the following standard policy tools:

Fiscal discipline will be ensured by keeping financial deficits at such a level that will not result in economic instability, and through maintaining a sustainable structure.

Priorities in public spending will be determined in accordance with areas that will yield high returns and enhance the equality of income distribution.

With tax reform, the fiscal base will be expanded and the marginal tax rates will be reduced to reasonable levels.

Through financial liberalization, the environment in which the prices of financial goods and services are determined by the markets reflective of domestic and international conditions will be created.

The environment, in which the exchange rates will be reflective of the relative balances of the economy, and preventive of deterioration of the competitive edge of exporters while providing support to them, will be created.

Through trade liberalization development of foreign trade on the basis of goods and countries in line with the framework of international standards. Export oriented regulations will be emphasized.

In-flow of foreign direct investment will be facilitated, and the proper environment in which foreign and domestic firms will be competing on equal terms.

Privatization will be regarded as the transfer of public institutions and establishments that perform economic activity into private sector in market conditions.

Through legislative measures obstacles that limit competitiveness will be removed, effective regulation-inspection and environmetal protection will be realized.

Universal legal framework will be created that will enable the protection of capital property rights.

Reform policies will be implemented by taking into consideration as much the needs and the structure of the Tukish economy as integration with the global economy.

Distinguished Deputies,

In the already existing conditions, interest rates in real terms, the rate of growth, the proportion of the public debt against the GDP, primary surplus and the balance in the increase of monetary supply are of great importance. Because it has direct impact on the macro-economic stability environment, this balance will be established and protected in light of necessities of the economy. The liabilities and debt of the State will be managed by a common strategy and with coordination among the relevant institutions and establishments.

One of the most important conditions for macroeconomic stability that facilitates reaching sustainable growth rates is financial discipline. The priority of the Fiscal Policy will be emphasized on attaining fiscal discipline, and therefore within this framework, the primary surplus. Regulations will be given emphasis that will ease the way to attain higher growth rates, in which turn will yield higher public income.

Tax reform will be realized in a structure that will encourage growth and it will be focused on efficiency. Quality, alternative costs and effectiveness in public management will determine the shape and direction of public spending.

Foreign funds and sources will not be utilized in projects in which domestic funds and sources may be used. In management of the public debt, the principle is to minimize aggregate debt. The main principle in this framework will be the market rules and loyalty to honoring contracts.

The fundamental objective of privatization is to create the necessary condition for the better functioning of the free market in the economy and to enable efficiency and productivity. The economic role of the public sector in a market economy is to create the necessary regulatory and control mechanisms for better functioning of the market.

Determined to privatize the Public Sector Enterprises, our Government will decide on polices and take necessary measures towards speeding privatization process and implementation. The necessary importance will be given to privatization and universal standards will be introduced in privatization law and administration.

A monetary and financial policy will be crafted, which will enable the development of basic monetary and financial indicators to reflect domestic and foreign market conditions. The independence, necessary to execute their roles and functions, of the Supreme Boards responsible for regulating and inspecting the Central Bank and the financial sector will be held in the forefront.

On the condition that the authority to determine macro-economic policies will remain with Governments, independent and autonomous institutions and boards will continue their functions as regulators and inspectors; regular flow of information by these autonomous institutions to ther public, government and Turkish Grand National Assembly will be ensured. Furthermore, the inspections of these institutions and establishments will be performed in accordance with universal standards.

The roles and functions of the financial sector to create payment mechanisms, assist in capital savings and to offer financial security will be upgraded to international standards. Within this framework, universal substance and quality will be attained for raising the degree of competitiveness, the capacity of offering financial goods/services addressing the needs of economic units, and funds-raising and credit providing process or mechanisms. The deepening of the sector on international standards on institutional and functional basis will be ensured. Preventive measures will be undertaken to circumvent bearing the costs on the public of occasional mismanagement in the financial sector.

The enhancement of the international competitive edge of the economy, and keeping the balances of trade and payments at reasonable levels will be ensured through effectively crafted foreign sector policies. In this context, special emphasis will be given to more active trade and industrial policies, taxation regulations, reduction in the bureaucracy and institutional reconstruction activities at relevant levels of public administration. The environment that will offer possibilities for regional and bilateral trade activities. Relations will be further developed with developing economies that have strategic disposition. Trade marks and quality increase will be encouraged. Local capital and production will be supported for them to claim an international place. Strategic sectors will be signified and infrastructure for their development and opening to foreign markets will be designed.
 

Distinguished Deputies,

Micro-economic policies will generally be concentrated upon two areas. These are:

• Implementations towards generating and rejuvinating the dynamics of the Turkish economy.
• Strengthening the institutions that gain importance in terms of the developments of the new century.

The merchants and artisans -who are the backbone of the economic and social body of the country and who significantly contribute to production, employment and added value- will be multidirectionally supported.

Implementation towards generating and rejuvinating the dynamics of the Turkish economy is comprised of encouragment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and capital-risked corporations, supporting the technological development models whose strategy and priorities are already determined, and measures towards employment.

In this context, the effectiveness of creative research and development activities that aims to strengthen cooperation among the sector, universities and the State will be increased. Furthermore, a special support system for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises will be established; environment for more employment and alternative solutions for the unemployed will be developed.

With policies strengthening the institutions compatible to the developments of the new century, compatible institutions that will generate and rejuvinate the Turkish economy will be bolstered; the quality of social life will be enhanced by key electronics and information structure systems within a specific framework, the strategy and priorities of which have been predetermined.

Furthermore, our Government will attach importance to regional development and social infrastucture will be bolstered for this purpose. Necessary measures will be taken to mitigate natural disasters. Efficiency and transparency in public work place will be increased through cost-benefit analysis and other methods. In this context, speciall attention will be placed upon providing and increasing the quality of the day-to-day infrastructural services; renewal of the electronics and information infrastructure systems; adaptation of information technologies; creation of environment-friendly socio-economic structures; securing public peace and safety; strengthening regional cooperation.

The creation of positive synergies in the economy is largely dependent on the correct identification of forward and reverse links prevailing over the intense and complex relationships within the economic structure, and the formulation of relevant policies.

Public facilities and resources will be used in the most efficient manner with a view to maximizing economic performance. A number of improvements shall be sought in the organizational structure of public institutions and service supply chains.

In the supply of public goods and services, special attention shall be given to the relationship among cost, production levels and public preferences, and to the use of resources in a more efficient manner. Economic policies which are consistent, correctly formulated and which take into account opportunity cost in a detailed manner will be pursued to increase the domestic and international performance of the economy.

Decisions and policies of the 58th Government, contained in the Government Program and the Urgent Action Plan will continue to be implemented.

It is our main goal to provide the necessary support and encouragement to increase efficiency and production in the agricultural sector, to stabilize producers’ income and the rational utilization of support to the sector, to revitalize and maximize the animal husbandry potential, and to prepare a long-term master plan within the scope of the national forestry policies. With alternative product schemes, production will be directed in accordance with domestic and international market demand.

Agricultural, forestry and animal husbandry products will be encouraged towards world markets. The self-sufficiency of the sector will be supported, thereby eliminating poverty. Mixed and alternative agricultural production methods will be encouraged, resulting in diversification and differentiation. Market-price sensitive production systems will be supported to increase competitiveness in the agricultural sector. The necessary legislative and institutional arrangements will be made to strengthen the market structure of the sector.

Agricultural sector policies will be viewed within the domain of labor and social policies. Support and encouragement will be provided with a focus on value added. The GAP (Southeastern Anatolia Project) will be regarded in a wholistic manner and, together with land reform, the region’s economic infrastructure will be re-planned and put into place. The GAP Administration will be relocated to the region.

The restructuring process of the industry will be accelerated in the light of national developmental goals and strategies. Existing opportunities and capacity, industrial capabilities, market opportunities and long term competitiveness will be taken into consideration in the establishment of the priorities of key industries. Patent, brand name and industrial design rights will be protected, and investments in industrial property will be supported. Furthermore, the necessary attention will be given to organized industrial sites, special industrial areas and small industrial sites.

The competitiveness and standards of regional industry will be increased. The performance of the production industry in the international trade of goods and services is of great importance in the opening of the economy to the outside world and for a positive trend in the balance of payments.

In the increase of the production sector’s foreign competitiveness, comparative advantages, opportunity costs, trade rates and free trade rules will be taken into account. The solution of the problem will be sought in democratic market conditions. Large industrial businesses will be supported in their bid to trade in foreign markets and to remain competitive in those markets.

Turkey, with its historical and cultural endowment, diverse natural beauty and hospitable people, possesses great tourism potential. Our Government believes that it is necessary to spend conscious efforts to put that potential into full use for the tourism sector. The increase of tourism receipts and diversification of tourist areas will depend on the close observation of economic, social and cultural developments in the world, and on the effective promotion of our potential in tourism. In order to make Turkey a brand name as a travel destination, we will attach importance to promotional projects, and we will take into consideration the coordination of such projects, especially with our foreign trade and foreign investment policies. The country’s rich tourism potential will be capitalized upon, by fostering development in the fields of business&congress, fairs, sports, culture and leisure travel, which together make up a significant portion of the world tourism market.

Transport and communications, which are important elements of the information society, also play a significant role in enabling economic units to be active in democratic environments, and to attain their freedom. With the Transport Master Plan which is under development, our transport system will be regarded in a wholistic manner; maritime transport and railway administration will be assigned priority and their integration with road and air transport will be ensured. A balance will be sought among the different modes of transportation. Liberalization and privatization of the communications sector, and the relevant legislative arrangements will be accelerated.

Work has begun on the construction of divided roads of 15,000 km length, despite inclement weather. All transport and communication facilities will reach all settled places.

The services sector is responsible for the opening of the national income, labor and the economy to the outside world. Domestic and international trade, domestic and international contracting, tourism, domestic and international transport are of utmost importance in this regard. Arrangements within economic principles will be made to increase the contribution of these sectors to the economy.

A new, up-to-date structure will be given to legislation related to labour, in accordance with national and international developments.

Unemployment will be addressed as not only a waste of production capability, but also a human problem. Supply side policies will be followed alongside with fiscal and monetary policies, which by themselves are tools of managing aggregate demand.

Unification of norms and standards in social security institutions will be made. A current, integrated social safety network will be established in accordance with the fundamental principles of international agreements and social security.

The structure and features of the labour markets have undergone significant change in the past few years. The industrial and professional distribution of labour and unemployment, and status of employment are following different trends compared with the past. The role and functions of labour and labour market institutions will be reviewed in order to make them more efficient.

Air, heat, water, mineral and other resources, which should be viewed as the capital stock of the environment, directly affect the structure and quality of all activities of economic units. Awareness will be raised in this respect, and developments having adverse effects on that stock, such as environmental degradation, noise, pollution and the costs associated with change will be identified with social welfare based approaches. Economic units will be held socially responsible.

All sources of energy will be used in efficient and effective ways. Planning will take into account costs and pricing, with a view to preventing energy bottlenecks. Environment conscious nuclear energy resources will also be utilized. Foreign energy resources and facilities will be taken into consideration for diversification, and without disregarding economic criteria.

At the core of our Government’s energy policy lies ensuring, with our national interests intact, the security and continuity of the energy supply, establishment of an energy market and protection of the environment, which we are sensitive about, and human health. At the same time, our Government will spend utmost efforts to turn Turkey into an energy bridge.

The richness of its mineral resources provides our country with a comparative advantage. Our Government wants to implement in a speedy fashion an effective mining programme that will promote our national interests, and which will enable this mineral wealth to contribute at a desired level to the country’s development.

The most effective methods and approaches for consumer protection will be put to implementation in a speedy fashion. In this context, the legislation, extension and support of non-governmental organizations and consumer protection institutions, development of the approach to quality in production processes, increasing the awareness of consumers will be particularly emphasized.

Our Government, which considers the State to be an instrument to serve the people, will pursue social policies that will attain prosperity and happiness for all of our citizens and not for any particular class or segment of them.

In this context, special programmes will be developed for the poor, elderly and children in need, and jobless; our citizens in deprivation will not suffer from a feeling of desertion and isolation.

Our Government will implement an approach to the social State, which will shelter the jobless, poor, addicts, ill and the challenged, and enable them to lead a life that is in line with human dignity.

In the view of our Government, education is the most prominent element of development in all areas. Societies that fail to use human capital effectively are bound to lose their bid for competition. The deficiencies in the area of education cannot be off-set by superiority in any other area. Conversely, superior levels achieved in the field of education increase the overall quality in all other fields. Against this background, our Government considers the elimination of the increasing deficiencies in the field of education to rank among its priority objectives.

Enhancement of the quality of education, attainment of genuine equality of opportunity in education and cleansing of the education system of ideological quarrels, carry great importance for the raising of competent and talented individuals.

In order for our education/training institutions, including those of higher learning, to provide education and training that meet the requirements, education and employment must be planned effectively.

Therefore, our Government will engage in a fundamental reform in education. As in every other field, also in the Turkish National Education system will be restructured with an eye to a human and quality based educational model, in accordance with the objective of meeting the society’s needs and the requirements of contemporary civilization.

The principle of secularism, freedom of religion and consciousness, as defined in our Constitution, will be given effect and functionality. Thereby, education in religion will be implemented in accordance with the framework drawn in our Constitution, in a way which could prevent the manipulation or abuse of religion, religious feelings or values and symbols deemed sacred under the religion, with the aim of political or personal interest or influence.

In order for the vocation of teaching to attain the prestige it deserves in the society, working conditions will be improved, alongside the quality of the teachers.

The obstacles on the way of the utilization of the right to education will be eliminated; education will be considered and encouraged as a lifelong process, and thus vertical and horizontal mobility will be enabled.

Our Government shall carry out necessary measures to enable the universities to become institutions of contemporary education and research. Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) will be structured as a body that will coordinate and set standards among universities. Universities will be elevated into institutions of research and education with administrative and academic autonomy, where academicians and students can freely conduct scientific activities.

Universities will be transformed into fora where any idea may be taught and discussed freely without any bans or restrictions.

The present student placement system that hinders the demand for professional and technical training, causing unjust and unfair treatment shall be changed in a manner that will encourage competition and provide justice. Higher schools providing professional and technical training shall be re-organised in order to endow manpower with the necessary qualifications meeting professional standards.

Our Government shall exert every effort in order to protect and improve our national values and moral dynamics that uphold the individual, the family and the society. We aim to elevate to its highest point the interaction between universal values and our national culture, while preserving the original structure and manner of behaviour of our national culture. We believe that this is essential in order to achieve an atmosphere of contemporary culture. Preventing these two areas from being an issue of conflict and benefiting from the assets of both is the basis of our culture policy.

Our Government finds the present structure, approach and understanding that govern the fields of language, literature, folklore, music, plastic arts, ethnography, motion pictures and performing arts, which are expressive elements of culture, deficient and unsound. New and satisfactory policies will be developed in all these fields while benefiting from the views of the experts and the NGOs. Our Government will also pay utmost attention to the protection of the cultural heritage.

The present healthcare system is lagging behind modern developments in all aspects; costs have become excessively high due to leaks in the system, healthcare services has become inaccessible and service unity has become non-existent. It has become an inevitable necessity to render the healthcare system accessible to all citizens in order to bring up a healthy generation.

Social security institutions have become ineffective since they are bogged down with healthcare affairs preventing them from doing their job. Present healthcare system, with its institutional organization, operation, personnel structure and distribution, has become unable to respond to requirements. Our Government is resolute on carrying out fundamental changes in order to create an effective healthcare system that shall be accessible to all.

The State shall provide healthcare for all, if necessary, in cooperation with the private sector. An effective and competent healthcare system is a must. Our Government believes that providing healthcare services is an inseparable element of the social state. Healthcare services shall be taken up within an integral approach and a new structuring and cooperation shall be sought.

Family is an important institution that is the foundation of the society and plays a role in the social solidarity. Social happiness, solidarity, peace, love and respect can be attained through family. It is obvious that strong family structures should take the credit for our social resilience in the face of all the problems and economic straits that has been experienced. Our Government shall prioritise family oriented policies.

Our women occupy an important place, not only because they form one half of our society, but also due to their role in the development of the individual and the society and upbringing of the healthy generations. Paying attention to all of their problems that have accumulated over the years is an area of priority for our Government.

Youth is not only a wealth of the nation, but also a source of dynamism and potential for change. Hence, possessing a young population is an important opportunity for Turkey. Building the confidence of the society to the youth and that of the youth to Turkey is among our Government’s main targets.

The minimum age to be elected shall be brought down to 25. A youth that can think freely, decide on its own, question on its own, cognizant of the society that it lives within and of the universal facts is among our main objectives. New sports policies will be developed taking into consideration the developing and changing realities of the world and Turkey. Every support will be provided in order to attain international standards in all branches of sports.

Free, independent and a pluralist printed and visual media is on of the main guarantees of democracy. The relevant legislation will be rearranged in order to prevent monopolies and cartels in the printed and visual media sector. Media will be encouraged to prioritise the needs of the society. All necessary technical and legal measures will be taken to guarantee the privacy of private life and communication.

In the modern state approach, enabling the disabled persons to become self-sufficient, reach a certain level of intellectual capacity, to become productive by acquiring a profession and participating in the social life by establishing sound relations with the society is a constitutional obligation bestowed upon the State. The State shall enable the disabled persons to lead a life without depending on others by meeting their education, rehabilitation, healthcare, legal and administrative needs. The principle that dictates that “persons will not be permitted to be discriminated due to their physical or mental disabilities” shall become the mainstay of our Government’s policy on persons with disabilities. Every measure shall be taken to accomplish this.

The quality of government and the place occupied by a society is dictated by the cities it creates. Therefore, the issue of urbanisation and habitation has meanings that surpass its technical implications. Preventing an unhealthy and ugly urbanisation while ensuring that the cities are fit for human habitation shall be one of the priorities of our Government. Low-cost accommodation will be constructed for those living in shanty-towns. Necessary measures will be taken through long-term projects, to transform cities into healthy, inhabitable and agreeable locations without any problems of transportation and infrastructure.

Distinguished Deputies,

While every century starts with a known date, political historians, rather than considering the calendar as an indicator, eliminate the paradigm of the previous century and accept as the beginning of a new century an important event that produces a new political paradigm.

The event which politically started this century, without doubt, is the shocking development referred as 11 September. It is common conviction that with this incident a course has been chartered towards establishing a new world order. The global system which was transformed from a bipolar world to a unipolar structure in the 1990’s has started experiencing the pains of the difficult unipolar order at the beginning of this century.

As a central element of the global system of power since its birth, Turkey, naturally, is also being affected from this new situation. Turkey’s regional perimeter corresponds with highly risky geo-politics. This, in effect, eliminates the separation between Turkey’s domestic policy and foreign affairs. The dynamics of Turkey’s domestic politics and its foreign affairs interact much more than many other countries of the world. Turkey’s foreign policy directly affects the livelihood of our people. The strength and quality of Turkey’s domestic politics guarantees our country’s regional and global interests.

In the face of changing regional and global realities, Turkey has to redefine its foreign policy priorities and has to form a new balance between these realities and its national interests.

In this framework, our Government is determined to follow the realistic and visionary foreign policy approach of the first AK Party Government and to further develop it.

As a humble but strong expression of our beloved nation’s great historic march, our Government:

• Will harmonize Turkey’s foreign policy with the dynamics of regional and global circumstances, taking a long term perspective.
• Turkey is an element of stability in her region. As such, she will take more initiatives in the crisis areas in her region and will try to make more concrete contributions to resolving these crises.

Likewise, the approach developed towards the Iraqi crisis by the first AK Party Government succeeded in presenting a serious model to the world and received praise. From now on, an active diplomacy will also be pursued that will not only monitor regional and continental developments that have a bearing on Turkey’s national interests, but also give direction to them.

• The performance displayed by the first AK Party Government on the issue of Iraqi crisis will be exactly continued by the second AK Party Government.
 

In the aftermath of the events of 11 September, our Party which has supported the U.S. approach on the fight against global terror, was the only Party in Turkey to express the need for the establishment of common bases for the struggle against global terror. The Governments formed by our Party possess this understanding. On the other hand, we believe that the confusion that has surfaced on the issue of global fight against terror and the wrong methods pursued are worrisome.

• In this framework, active efforts will be exerted to abate the tensions between religions and cultures which have shown a tendency to increase after 11 September. Our rich historical background embracing cultural pluralism and dialogue will be put to use in this respect.
• In facing the problem that shook the global political dynamics and introduced the organizations that are common platforms of the countries of the world with a new crisis management that is centered around Iraq, the first AK Party Government, with the responsibility as part of the international community, produced an effective policy through balancing and blending the security risks arising from the experience of living a very special geography. The second AK Party Government will also practice the same political judgement.
• Our Government is in favor of the discontinuation of the uncertainty concerning our neighbour Iraq. We wish for the settlement of the issue of Iraq in accordance with the UN resolutions. However, the gap between the general framework of the issue and the problem as it is faced by Turkey is widening. In the event that the situation is inclined to threaten our political, military and economic interests, our Government will make make rapid decisions best suited to the country’s special circumstances in order to uphold the conservation of the State and the well-being of our nation. Our Government attaches utmost importance to the preservation of the territorial integrity and political unity of Iraq.


We believe that the natural resources of Iraq belongs to the whole Iraqi nation. It is our desire that as principal elements of Iraq, the Turkomans, Arabs, Kurds and other groups live in peace. The break up of Iraq’s territorial integrity will change the whole balance in the Middle East. Our Government is in favor of the implementation of all relevant UN resolutions by the Iraqi administration, an Iraq disarmed of weapons of mass destruction that is in peace with its neighbours and has taken its place within the international community. Our Government maintains that the Iraqi issue is solved through peaceful means.

• Iraqi crisis has added new agenda in Turkish-USA relations which has a long history and always been pursued on mutual respect and which will be carried in the most dynamic way. It is natural that our State and the USA has different perception of and attitude towards the Iraqi crisis. Of course, every country evaluates each situation according to its own political position. Despite some differences on current and conjunctural agenda of the Iraqi crisis, the basic strategic and political fact is the alliance between Turkey and the USA.

Our Government attaches importance to producing a policy compatible with the significance and function of the alliance with the USA. Our Government is willing to improve the existing relations and cooperation with the USA in the mutual benefit and interest of the two peoples and in order to form a dimension of the regional stability.

Distinguished Deputies,

• Turkey is a part of the European political values system. Relations with the European countries will continue to be amongst the top priority issues on the agenda of the Turkish foreign policy.
• One of the foremost objectives of our Government is Turkey’s full membership of the European Union. Following the success in the general elections held on 3 November, we have pursued an effective policy regarding our relations with the EU. It is in the JDP Government period that a negotiation date for the opening of the accession negotiations was obtained in 2004.

Our Government is determined to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria in their entirety. The assumption of Turkey’s rightful place in the family of the European Union at the shortest time will not only benefit both sides but will undoubtedly yield positive outcomes for peace, stability and security beyond the European continent.

In this framework, the harmonization laws, which were adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, will be strengthened and our legislation as a whole will be improved in terms of fundamental rights and freedoms. In addition, ever increasing emphasis will be placed on training implementing officials and fully reflecting these reforms on the actual implementation.

Distinguished Deputies,

• In parallel to the contribution that Turkey has been making in the framework of NATO, Turkey has taken her rightful place within the European Security and Defence Policy during the first JDP Government term. It is among our Government’s priorities to continue to improve the capabilities necessary for our armed forces - which perform a very important role in deterring all types of possible threats and in achieving regional and global peace, stability and security - to sustain their activities within international organizations like NATO and the UN.
• In this context, I would like to underline our sensitivity on the concept of security. Maintaining security is the main and indispensable function of any State. Given Turkey’s geographic position and the developments in the region, it is obvious that our Government will even more sensitive about the security and defense issues. We will not shy from any sacrifices required for our security and defense.
 

Distinguished Deputies,

• In the context of good neighborly relations, cooperative relations will be maintained with the Russian Federation in a manner not prejudicial to the interests of the countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus with whom we have cultural affinity. Our Government will meticulously develop the Eurasian perspective that sets out the priority of maximizing the relations with the Russian Federation.
• We are determined to establish our relations with our neighbor Greece not based on enmity, but rather on a competition which will generate synergy to the benefit of both nations.

We will maintain and enhance our relations with Greece based on mutual economic interests, and through the environment of confidence thus created, a foundation will be prepared for the settlement of the more complicated political issues.

Distinguished Deputies,

• Our Government believes in the absolute necessity of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. This solution will not be allowed to include any initiative that would jeopardize the future of the Turkish existence on the Island.

We maintain our sensitivity to prevent the point reached at the Hague to turn into a stalemate and to search for new communication channels and solution models. We invite all the political centers, primarily the EU countries and Greece, to be receptive towards solution, dialogue and sustainable peace. In this framework, the UN General Secretary’s statement that his plan remains on the table and that he would assist the process should the parties so wish and the statement by the TRNC President Mr. Denktas that calls on the Greek Cypriot side to negotiate are noted by our Government.

• In spite of our historical, cultural and social kinship with the Turkic Republics of Central Asia, it is a fact that Turkey has not been able to fulfill the expectations in its relations with these countries. Our Government will make efforts to carry the relations with Turkic Republics to the farthest point, and thereby transform the region into a wide zone of co-operation.
• As is the case with the rest of the world public opinion, the ongoing bloodshed in the Middle East disappoints and worries the Turkish people, who have close cultural and historical relations with this region.

Our Government believes that lasting peace is the only way to urgently stop the shedding of blood and tears by whom ever it may be and irrespective of religion or race. Turkey will continue to support the efforts to establish peace in Palestine in accordance with the United Nations Resolutions and in a way that would end the continued suffering of the Palestinian people. In this framework, the roadmap and the vision for reform mentioned by the US President George W. Bush in his statement dated March 14 are supported by our Government.

Turkey will have the opportunity to contribute to the efforts of creating peace by maintaining her good relations with the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

• Our Balkan policy will be developed further in line with our historical, cultural and economic relations with the countries of that region, and if necessary will be reshaped. In order to decrease the tension in the region and to perpetuate a peaceful environment, predominantly economic projects will be developed to establish fields of mutual interest.

• Our Government attaches special importance to the relations of Turkey with the Islamic world. We will make efforts, on the one hand, to increase bilateral cooperation with these countries and, on the other hand, to provide the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) with a dynamic structure which would enable it to gain a more respectful place and to take initiatives in the international scene. Again in this context, the Government will aim to give more concrete substance to the activities of the OIC Standing Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation, which is chaired by our President.
• The Government will make efforts to activate the potential of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC), which was created with a large participation. The BSEC potential is promising in terms of new cooperation possibilities among the countries of the region.
• We will work to further advance our relations with Japan and People’s Republic of China, which are developing on the basis mutual respect and productive cooperation, in the same direction. In fact, the year 2003 has been declared the “Turkish Year” in Japan.
• The efforts will continue in order to develop a Eurasian axis policy in addition to the traditional Europe and Atlantic dimensions of our foreign policy. In this context, the cooperation within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) will be reinforced.
• A rational and systematic coordination will be established among the international organizations of which Turkey is a member and the regional economic and cooperation initiatives such as the ECO and BSEC.
• In the Caucasus, the Cold War reflexes will be cast aside to seek opportunities for cooperation, and efforts will be made to contribute to the economic integration of this region, which has rich natural resources, with the Middle East and the Balkans.
• Efforts will be made to better protect the local rights of the Turkish citizens residing abroad; existing mechanisms will be exploited more effectively to eliminate the problems they face in their country of residence as well as in Turkey.

Justice and Development Party Governments have not only brought about an understanding of dynamic and contemporary government that our country needs, but also more importantly and in a more lasting manner, has launched a new political period in all respects, leaving the political culture that was not in tune with the age in which we live.

Those who tend to judge this new period with the old notions, forms and habits will fall far from the dynamism and the will of the society for change and therefore will be confined to their unproductive and fruitless political efforts.

This new period will be that of those who will build a political structure and create new methods, concepts and understandings, based on universal standards and the rule of law along with our people’s will and desire for further development.

We have full confidence that this Programme which I have submitted to you, distinguished Deputies, under this new political understanding, will make an important contribution in attaining the place which our country deserves to have in a world, which is rapidly changing, where competition is increasing and where an efficient and participatory governance is more important than ever before.

Our Government, which is the reflection of Turkey’s common sense and conscience, will persevere to deserve the trust of our noble nation and august Parliament.

Efforts from us, support from our noble nation and success from God Almighty.

*  day to day basic economic functions which guide the regular market activty is informally addressed as the ‘real sector.’
** Sector is expressed to mean the “market.”