Erdogan: "All state institutions are in consensus on the democratic initiative"

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of his Jusitice and Development Party's (AK Party) Central Executive Board (MKYK), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the democratic initiative, announced by the government this summer as part of efforts to end separatist terrorism in the southeastern Anatolia by extending the rights and freedoms of Kurds, was a project of the state and not only of his government. Erdogan also stated his opinion that the AK Party's democratic initiative could have been announced earlier. "There are always problems in every society. But our duty is to minimize these," he said. Stressing that Turkey cannot live with these problems until the end of time, Erdogan said, "This is not yesterday's problem; this has been a problem for decades. These have never been addressed. Does this mean we have to live with them? Can you keep your seats if you ignore the problems of a particular group? We know it is not an easy process, but we will pass through this with patience and calmness." Touching his party's performance in office in the last seven years, Erdogan said Turkey has grown, both economically and in reputation during this process. "In the period ahead, we will continue to strengthen our country and nation. We will work with all our heart to set even higher standards and reach these." Erdogan also said the democratic initiative will also include measures to solve the problems of Turkey's minorities. Erdogan also announced a central executive board reshuffle with Kürsat Tuzmen, Salih Kapusuz and Huseyin Celik, elected to the board, while Necati Cetinkaya, Edibe Sozen and Sukru Ayalan were left out of the party administration this time. The key appointments included Abdulkadir Aksu being elected to head the party's political and legal affairs and Celik replacing Deputy Chairwoman Sozen as the new person to lead the party's media affairs. Kapusuz was appointed as deputy chairman in charge of public relations, while Tuzmen was appointed deputy chairman in charge of foreign relations.