Babacan: "transformation in the mideast must be peaceul"

The transformation in the Middle East which began with events in Tunisia and Egypt calls for a definite period of transition, said Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan on Wednesday, warning of a difficult time ahead. Babacan made the remarks at a dinner in Istanbul hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), also attended by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who is visiting Turkey at the invitation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Stressing that it is impossible to ignore recent developments in the Middle East, Babacan said the region has reached a point that makes reforms a necessity, not an option. Babacan implied that the reforms should give priority to individuals before the state, and that the state should heed the demands and expectations of the people. Babacan also cautioned that this transformation should be orderly and occur with a definite period of transition, rather than suddenly. Babacan said the region is undergoing an important transformation and that Turkey has basic principles on finding solutions to the region's problems through diplomatic means.