Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that his country respects freedom of opinion and expression.
Addressing a session of the 18th Doha Forum, Turkish Foreign Minister said Turkey has a president who has done much reform and has carried out a successful reformist revolution in the last five years.
He added that the Turkish president transformed the country and overcome many challenges, including the failed coup in the summer of 2016, adding that if there were arrests of journalists or others as a result of this coup, it is up to the judiciary to decide on the matter.
The FM stressed that his country adopts the standards of the Council of Europe and the European Union in this regard, adding, “We have a list of names of those in prison, and their list and the charges against each of them can be found on the Ministry of Justice website,” noting that being a journalist or other is not important, but what is important is the crime against Turkey.
He pointed out that many of those who call for freedom of the press, including the Europeans, turn a blind eye to what encourages violations and abuses in this regard. On the issue of US priest Andrew Branson, who was recently released by Turkey, the Turkish minister described him as a US spy.
He also noted the US support for the Kurdish People’s protection units in Syria and supplying them with weapons, as well as to US sheltering of Fethullah Gulen, the leader of the failed coup.
Regarding the US and Turkish presence in Syria, he said that there is co-operation between the two countries in terms of stability of the northern region of Syria, pointing out that Ankara has a roadmap for the city of Manbj after operations in the eastern part of the Euphrates River in order to protect the region and local people from the risk of terrorist elements, adding this is important for Turkey and the peace of the region.
Cavusoglu pointed out that the Syrian constitution committee will be announced next week, pointing to co-operation between his country, Russia and Iran.
He stressed that the Syrians themselves should write a comprehensive constitution for their country, followed by preparation for democratic and transparent elections under the umbrella of the United Nations so that the Syrian people choose who will rule after the elections.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaking at Doha Forum. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil
