Davos 2017 - A Conversation with Mehmet Simsek, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey

TL;DR

Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey discusses challenges post-coup and constitutional reforms, emphasizing resilience and aiming for stability.

Transcript

ladies and gentlemen warm welcome to our one-to-one session which is excellency Deputy Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic maybe it's some sake limits the warm welcome thank you as you all know mehmet is a very good friend of the forum since many years at least since 2007 when European for the first time yet our annual meeting but you're also en... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 Turkey faced a unique challenge post-coup, combating a power-hungry religious cult.
• 🛄 Constitutional changes aim to create a more stable and balanced government structure.
• 🔒 The balance between security and democracy is essential for Turkey's progress.
• 🚨 Measures like state of emergency are temporary strategies to address ongoing threats.
• 🍉 Turkey's economic strategy towards 2023 focuses on long-term growth and prosperity.
• 🖐️ Demographics and reforms play critical roles in Turkey's economic development.
• 🇪🇭 Turkey's positioning in the future is aligned with Western values and aspirations.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the underlying factors that led to the failed military coup in Turkey?

The coup attempt was orchestrated by a power-hungry religious cult that infiltrated various government departments and had a cozy relationship with previous administrations, posing a substantial threat to democracy.

Q: How has Turkey balanced the need for security and democracy amidst challenges like the coup attempt?

Turkey has implemented temporary measures like a state of emergency to combat ongoing threats from terrorist organizations while simultaneously focusing on enhancing democratic standards and fundamental rights.

Q: What are the motivations behind the proposed constitutional changes in Turkey?

The constitutional changes aim to establish a better separation of powers, ensuring checks and balances between the president, parliament, and judiciary to prevent conflicts and promote stability in government.

Q: How does Turkey address concerns about freedom of the press and freedom of speech in light of recent actions against journalists and media outlets?

Turkey's actions against the media are primarily targeted at criminal activities by certain groups, such as the religious cult behind the coup attempt and PKK terrorist organization, emphasizing the need for press responsibility in a challenging security environment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Deputy Prime Minister discusses the unique challenge Turkey faced post-coup.

• He explains the deep-rooted issues behind the coup attempt by a religious cult.

• The discussion transitions to constitutional changes and the need for stability and representation in the government.