Former FM says he doesn't believe 'parallel state' claims
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is 'far away' from its founding philosophy, Former Foreign Minister Yaşar Yakış stated on Monday. Yakış, who helped found the party, expressed that he does not believe in claims of a so-called parallel state.
The “parallel structure” is a term invented by President Erdoğan to refer to sympathizers of the Hizmet movement, inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, within the police and the judiciary. He claims the parallel state seeks to topple his government.
Regarding the Government obstacles against Kimse Yok Mu nonprofit aid organization, Yakış said that he finds it very odd to regulate public aids this way with the law. Yakış said he believes there is nothing illegal in association's activities.
The nonprofit Kimse Yok Mu’s status to collect donations without state permission was officially revoked with a cabinet ruling on Oct. 2.
It's wrong to abandon EU reforms
The negotiation process between Turkey and the EU did not slow down suddenly, claimed Yakış, who added that it would be a big mistake for Turkey to give up its EU reforms, since the EU has been so cold towards Turkey as of late. According to Yakış, Turkey's economy grew an enormous amount on top of the Turkey-EU negotiation process.
"Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan talks about the constructive reforms. Those reforms are the same as the EU reforms," said Yakış.
The former Foreign Minister estimates that if the AK Party government gives up on the EU reforms, all parts of the development process will be disturbed as well.
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