Erdogan calls for unity with opposition

Speaking to his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) parliamentary group yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan decried the level of conflict between the AKP and the political opposition, and called on the opposition leader to work with his party. Marking one year since his party's reelection, Erdogan cited a speech he gave after the victory saying that he respected every voter's choice, no matter who they voted for. "Whatever their choices, all of our citizens are equal in our eyes," he said. "Everybody's choice is important, valuable and worthy of respect. Everybody's problem is our problem. Our party was founded on this principle, and we have maintained this since the elections of July 22 last year." Erdogan added that he and his party want a win-win situation. "We aim at unity and togetherness and making progress together," he said. "History shows that if nations are unable to come together for victory, then they are destined to fall together in defeat. We defend freedom, justice, democracy and welfare for everybody. With this spirit of unity, our democratic, secular and social republic where the rule of law prevails will reach greater heights." Touching on the government's recent contacts with senior US and Iranian officials, he said, "We are conducting diplomacy to find a peaceful solution to the international dispute over Iran's nuclear activities. There is no doubt that any country can have peaceful nuclear activities. Turkey is also taking steps to use nuclear energy to meet the country's rising energy needs. We have advised Iranian officials to take steps to reassure the international community about its nuclear activities. We told them that Turkey can act as a go-between for Iran and the international community." On the Cyprus issue, Erdogan said, "A comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue should be based on the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots. This new partnership should be two-sided and based on political equality, and be under Turkey's active guarantorship."