2012 will not be that easy for world, Turkey

Turkey has left a difficult 2011 behind but 2012 is already promising plenty of challenges as the country attempts to draft a new charter amid a number of disagreements among the parties. "When the turmoil and political developments around our country are considered, I believe that 2012 will be busy year for Turkey," President Abdullah Gul said his New Year message. Divisions over the new charter have already emerged between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP), mainly due to the AKP's insistence that provisions passed in a 2010 referendum to reshape the judiciary remain untouched. Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Cicek, however, said it was absolutely essential that the country succeed in drafting a new constitution. The controversy over President Gul's term will also be a major topic of debate in 2012. In a New Year's message published on the official website of the President's Office on Saturday, Gul underlined the importance of solidarity in Turkey, stating that Turkish nation's unity was a milestone in reaching goals of the country. "When the turmoil and political developments around our country are considered, I believe that 2012 will be busy year for Turkey," Gul said in his message. "That's why it is more important than ever to use our energy in a way to positively direct the developments and preserving solidarity within the country." Turkish people expected that new constitution would be completed in 2012, he said, adding that a democratic, liberal and pluralist constitution would pave for the way of Turkey for its progress. Gul said that Turkey did not give up its objectives on its EU path and the country would keep fulfilling reforms regarding its EU bid in 2012 as well.