ERDOGAN LOOKS WEST
Although Gul is a devout Muslim, he has been exhorting Turks and the government to remain fully on course in terms of the institutional Westernization of Turkey that has been ongoing since the beginning of the 19th century. The principle current instrument for him in this regard is Turkey’s European Union perspective, which he reiterated this week during his official Eid al-Fitr message to the public, in which he also referred to the Gezi Park protests.
“It should not be forgotten that legitimate democratic reactions reflecting social expectations and objections, and which are expressed in a manner that does not disrupt the peace, are indispensible aspects of our democracy,” Gul said.
“It is vital that everyone sees this and remains focused on our promising tomorrows. We have to concentrate on large targets, such as EU membership and a new constitution, which will carry Turkey above the level of contemporary civilization,” he added, urging national solidarity...
Given Ankara’s misadventures in the Middle East, Erdogan has no choice left but to turn Turkey’s ship westward if he is to fulfill his vision of a grand Turkey based on advanced democracy. The basic parameters for this kind of democracy lie in the West, and not eastward.
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/origina ... -west.html
