Turkish FM under criticism over foreign policy

ANKARA

Main opposition harshly criticizes Davutoğlu at the budget Commission. DAILY NEWS photo, Selahattin SÖNMEZ

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu once again faced harsh criticism on Nov. 6 from opposition parties regarding the government’s Syrian policy, which the opposition called “a dreamer’s.”

During deliberations at the Parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission over the 2013 budget for the Foreign Ministry, deputies from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) unfurled banners that read “No to war,” in criticism of a motion Parliament adopted authorizing the government to send troops to Syria.

“It is not possible for us to continue a relationship with an administration that bombs its own people,” Davutoğlu said in regards to Turkey’s Syrian policy.

The minister defined the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) rule as an era of restoration for Turkish politics.

Davutoğlu defended government policy with an analogy between Turkish foreign policy and a pull-up bar. The government has kept its targets just above its shoulders, like a pull-up bar, rather than dropping it below its shoulders, he said.

CHP deputy Ali Haydar Önder accused the minister of saying “imaginary things in a good way.”
Turkey should make policies according to changing concepts, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Tuğrul Türkeş said, adding that the results of the government’s policies are financially costly to the country.