Democracy in Turkey

Your Oct. 16 editorial fails to accurately portray Turkey as a democratic and open society. Turkey has open and free elections; a thriving multi-party political system with a full range of parties from left and right; a free, vibrant and uncensored mass media, willing to criticize the government; an independent legislature and an independent judiciary with a fully developed legal system. The Turkish democratic foundation is unquestionably strong but there still remains room for improvement.

For this reason, Turkey is engaged in a process of further democratization. The recent democratic reform package of July 23 has once again manifested Turkey’s commitment to broader and stronger political freedom and pluralism. There is also an ongoing debate over modifying the relevant provision of our anti-terrorism law unnecessarily restricting free speech. Indeed, the Turkish government is committed to making necessary changes in the anti-terrorism law.

When it comes to the Customs Union Agreement with the European Union, this will be beneficial and in the interest of both sides. This union is a natural outcome of Turkey’s decades-long association with the European Union and existing agreements which foresee Turkey’s eventual full membership. Again, contrary to your editorial, Turkey’s economic growth in the last decades has been anything but stagnant. Turkey has achieved the highest development rate average among OECD countries during the last decades. Turkey is designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as one of the 10 “big emerging markets.”

OGUZ CELIKKOL

Consul General, Turkey

Los Angeles