Turkey has no imperialist ambitions: Justice Minister Gül

COPENHAGEN – Anadolu Agency

Turkey brings peace and safety to all environments and does not harbor any “imperialist ambitions,” Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül stated on April 11.

Speaking at an event organized by the Ankara-aligned Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD) in the Danish capital Copenhagen, Gül said over the last 15 years Turkey had become a “self-confident, leading nation both globally and regionally” in terms of its economy, politics and foreign policy.

He criticized what he called Western countries’ view of Turkey as “a good market” that is “breathing but not leading.”

“Turkey should not die but should also not develop. That was the approach [to Turkey]. Let Turkey lie down on the bed as a ‘sick man.’ Use it as a market. Let it breathe without allowing it to stand up to lead,” Gül said, claiming that Turkey’s growth had “disturbed those countries.”

“Turkey’s embrace of friendly discourse and its powerful language will echo around the world,” he added. 

Gül said Turkey never has “imperialist ambitions” and “only brings peace and safety to all environments.”