"Atatürk's Contemporary Civilization Aim Reaches a new Horizon with EU"
The Honorary President of Turkey's Journalists and Writers Foundation, Fethullah Gülen, sent a message to yesterday's Abant Platform yesterday holding its annual meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Gülen said in his message that "contemporary civilization" objective set by the Founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has reached to a new horizon on the prompting of European Union (EU). Gülen also shared his hope for Turkey to be given a negotiation start date at the EU December 17 summit.
Mr. Gülen's message reads as follows:
"In the most critical and historic turning point in early 20th century, Ataturk stood up for the Republic as the expression of the national will. As this attitude means our national entity being transformed into a way of governing, it is also a historic step taken in the direction for a contemporary civilization.
"This step has reached a new horizon today. The Contemporary Civilization objective pointed by Ataturk has come to a new point with the EU process. Since the foundation of our Republic, almost everyone has fulfilled his/her responsibilities on the way. For the EU reforms starting with former governments and reaching to top with the current one, every single institution and establishment deserves appreciation.
"Within this context, historic role of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) should not be forgotten because TSK, which de facto disclaiming all the rumors about itself being the biggest obstruction before Turkey's EU, has shown one more time that this historic institution is still the most significant representative of Ataturk's Contemporary Civilization aim. Very beautiful developments that add up to our hopes take place regarding Turkey's future indeed. Its prestige in the region rises.
"Turkey's EU membership will reinforce its role as the island of peace in the heart of the Eurasia beyond imagination. Many wise men around the world today agree on its potential to prevent the clash of civilizations. A Turkey in the EU will more successfully realize its function to establish a bridge between the Islamic world and the West.
"Since the relations between Turkey and Europe goes centuries back, it is not easy to write the European history with Turkey. I hope that of Europe being aware of this will reach a decision at the December 17 summit to perfect Turkey's place in Europe and I extend my wishes of success to your conference that I believe it will make positive contributions in this regard." (Ali Ihsan Aydin, Selcuk Gultasli)
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