Tunisian people make a miracle happen in a year, says FM Davutoglu

ANKARA (A.A) - January 11, 2012 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Tunisian counterpart Rafik Abdessalem attended a panel discussion on the Arab Spring at the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) in Ankara on Wednesday. Speaking at the panel, Davutoglu said that the Tunisian people made a miracle happen in a year. The Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia reached a successful point only in a year. Tunisia is a good example of a country in which modernity and Islam co-exist, Davutoglu said. Turkey extended support to the revolution in Tunisia as we thought the demand of the Tunisian people was legitimate. The Tunisian people made a miracle come true by fighting for its honor. The success in Tunisia has shown to the region that a democratic political transformation is possible. Turkey will continue to be with Tunisia in the future and extend all possible support, Davutoglu noted. The transformation in Tunisia was peaceful while bloodshed took place in Libya. The region with the most serious problem in the Arab Spring now is Syria, Davutoglu underlined. Syria did not take lessons from Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. We have done everything possible. However, Damascus has not listened to us, Davutoglu also said. Minister Abdessalem, in his part, said that his first trip overseas after assuming his office was to Turkey. The political transformation process in Tunisia turned into a revolution in the region. This process was delayed for a very long time. The countries of the region were not much different from the countries of the Eastern Block during the Cold War. The process of democratization and political change are a result of the chronic problems, such as poverty, Abdessalem underlined. The individuals on the streets saw that change was possible and helped each other. They looked at the Turkish example where democracy and Islam co-existed, Abdessalem noted. While there may be some problems, I am confident that a bright future awaits the region and its peoples. I must remind that I was in exile for 21 years, Abdessalem said. The expectations of the peoples in the region are all same. They desire freedom, and the right to elect and be elected, Abdessalem said. Turkey was a part of the process for decades. The peoples of the region always looked at Turkey with admiration. As a successful model, Turkey influenced the minds and hearts of the regional peoples, Abdessalem also said.