PM calls on CHP to positively ‘contribute to Turkey’s march’

ANKARA

AA Photo

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu repeated his calls to the leader of the main opposition to engage in dialogue with the government to “contribute to Turkey’s march,” but vowed to continue on the same path if he does not receive a positive approach.

“We are on a long march to make Turkey, the ‘Great Turkey.’ We’ll greet Kılıçdaroğlu if he accepts our salutation during this long march. We’ll hold his hand if he extends it,” Davutoğlu told reporters before his departure to northern Cyprus on Sept. 16.

He was referring to his quarrel with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), over whether Davutoğlu or President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan should be the opposition’s interlocutor. Kılıçdaroğlu called on the prime minister to prove his eligibility to run the government, and if not he vowed to continue taking President Erdoğan as his political interlocutor.

“What I am saying is clear. It’s not up to Kılıçdaroğlu to decide whether I am eligible or not to run the country,” Davutoğlu responded.

“We’ll practice this long march together if he shows the willingness to contribute to this march in any way. But if he raises difficulties before this march to the Great Turkey we’ll remove this obstacle without hesitation,” he said. 

“I just want Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu to know this: Our stance regarding this [dialogue with the opposition] is always positive and will be positive. But we have no time to lose with Kılıçdaroğlu’s caprices or conditions that he puts in front of us … If he moves in a negative way, we’ll continue on our path. Because Turkey has no time to lose,” Davutoğlu added.