ISTANBUL
Democratic process in the Middle East and the North Africa should go on uninterrupted, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Wednesday.
Gul made the honorary opening speech at the Fourth Bosphorus Summit in Istanbul.
Discussing thoroughly changes in the Middle East and North Africa, Gul said, “What is important for leadership in the region is to be able to direct this transformation in the right direction.”.
Abdullah Gul said there is a great variety in the Middle East and one can find a source of conflict anytime if he needs one. Instead of conflicts, Gul said the Middle East needs to embrace all the diversity in the region and has to respect and tolerate each-other in order to become “one.”
In terms of process of new nation-state structure in the region, he warned against the resurface of sectarianism.
"Identities based on sects, religions and ethnicity have gained power against national identities. Regional governments should decide what to do to make people safe and look to the future hopefully."
Turkish President appealed regional leaders to find solution to regional problems.
“If that is not done, other leaders will come upon with their solutions to regional problems,” he noted. Abdullah Gul added that there is a need for a regional security structure the region.
Gul said regional cooperation is the key for eliminating risks in the Middle East and the North Africa.
Gul added that there is a need for a regional security structure the region.
"I told at various platforms that there is a need for the likes of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in the Middle East to eliminate weapons of mass destruction," he said.
Stressing on the balance between security and freedom, Gul noted this balance is a key for long-lasting cooperation and development in the region.
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