Turkish main opposition CHP outlines foreign policy priorities

ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) published a report on its foreign policy priorities. AA photo

Turkey’s efforts should focus on becoming an exemplary democracy and society with a strong economy, instead of concentrating on becoming a regional leader, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has said in a report.

The report said the party would prioritize principles such as fair distribution, participation, pluralism, rule of law, laicism and gender equality. The CHP could cooperate on issues regarding the axis of democratic values and laicism if requested by legitimate institutions and circles in regional countries. 

The report also included the “main lines” of the CHP’s policies for the Middle East. It said the party stands at equal distance and respects every ethnic, religious and national difference in the Middle East, stressing that the CHP would not take side in disputes between Arab countries, or in the disputes within any Arab country. 

The report said the essence of the CHP’s Syria policy is “to be in equal relations with parties, not to take side in clashes and in separations, and to support diplomatic processes, especially Geneva II, to find a political solution to the problem.” The foreign intervention should be avoided, said the report.