Erdogan sends message of unity at parliamentary group meeting

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave message of unity on Tuesday at his Justice and Development Party's (AKP) parliamentary group meeting. Touching on the reform package he announced last week, Erdogan said that it was a sign of Turkey's unity as it lifts "bans and impositions" on some sections of society. Referring to the package that includes reforms to lift a ban on wearing headscarves at public institutions, Erdogan said, "We established the Republic altogether. Those who do not wear a headscarf are owners of the Republic as much as those who do." Erdogan also said it was "an indication of ignorance" to associate the student oath and headscarf ban with the country's Republican values. Rejecting accusations that the government is reluctant to reopen the Halki Seminary, Erdogan said, "Reopening the Halki Seminary hangs on an instant," adding that whenever we decide to return something, we also have a right to expect something.