Self-criticism needed, Turkish envoys say

ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

Envoys expressed the difficulties they faced in foreign capitals with trying to explain some incidents, such as those in the Gezi Park demonstrations. AA Photo

Some Turkish envoys taking floor at the Ambassadors’ Conference taking place in Ankara expressed the need for self-criticism, recalling that self-criticism is one of the precious European values which Turkey claims it embraces.

During the first day of the Ambassadors’ Conference, an ambassador exposed the inappropriateness of a tradition in Turkish politics; holding Western and European countries responsible for turmoil in Turkey, stating they are disturbed by the country’s development. Such accusations feed Turkish people’s negative perceptions of the West, which has accumulated over the years due to similar sayings.

Envoys expressed the difficulties they faced in foreign capitals with trying to explain some incidents, such as those in the Gezi Park demonstrations.

Despite agreeing with the ambassador’s idea, which has drawn attention to the need of self-criticism, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, however, maintained such self-criticism can be made at the conference, but it should not be made publicly.

On the other hand, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Levent Gümrükçü told Anadolu Agency that some reports in Turkish media about Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay’s remarks addressing the ambassadors’ conference does not reflect the truth.

Atalay reportedly told the ambassador’s conference on Jan. 13 that countries like Germany and Iran are complicating Turkey’s efforts to end a militant Kurdish insurgency at perceived injustice.