Erdogan: Turkey's foreign policy is based on values

Speaking at the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) sixth fast breaking dinner (iftar) in Ankara on Thursday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan touched on several foreign and domestic issues. "Turkey's foreign policy is not based on interests, but values. We have always acted in Syria, in Iraq, in Libya and in Tunisia in light of these values," Erdogan said. Stating that Turkey doesn’t follow a policy regarding Egypt that defends or looks after certain people or institutions, Erdogan said that Turkey followed a policy that looks after universal values and principles. Erdogan added that it was not possible for the Turkish government to accept the toppling of an elected president in ways other than elections, as in Egypt. Recalling that Turkey is not against the regime in Syria because of sectarian reasons, Erdogan said, "This regime persecuted people of all walks of life. 100,000 people have been killed in Syria so far. The regime still continues to kill. May not I call this regime as killer? You have to reach out these people all the time." Urging Russia, China, and Iran to support the negotiation process in Syria, Erdogan said that those countries had great responsibilities to solve this crisis. Erdogan also said that they are hopeful about the new constitution. “We keep on working in a determined way. We have promised to our citizens about the new constitution and we will keep our promise," Erdogan noted, adding, "We maintain the process what we name ‘Solution Process’ in order to end terrorism problem which has been continuing for 30 years. When the process ends successfully, Turkey will have achieved a significant reform, get rid of its burdens."