Efkan Ala announces! 'Reform' preparations in the government

AKP Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala answered questions from journalists at the party's headquarters.

Claiming that AK Party governments have always reviewed their faltering policies and taken necessary actions without hesitation on issues requiring change, Ala said that they have also launched efforts in areas where they identified shortcomings following the elections.

"BASED ON THE ANKARA CRITERIA..."

Stating that all units within the party have begun working to identify areas for reform and that opinions have been sought from ministries, Ala made the following assessments:

On one hand, the AK Party is collecting complaints coming through CİMER and the Ombudsman, and problematic areas are being identified. Our President had previously said, 'If necessary, we will turn the Copenhagen criteria into Ankara criteria and continue on our path.' The AK Party is preparing for a second wave of reforms based on the Ankara criteria. We see the coming years as golden years. The golden years are a window of opportunity to leap into the upper-income group and implement reforms that will ensure structural transformation. We will spend these years productively and make progress. We have put reforms that will increase predictability in the economy and trust in justice on our agenda. You will see a rapid reform process within the next year. We will make a leap in the economy to avoid falling into the middle-income trap.

'REFORMS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN MANY AREAS'

Emphasizing that reforms that are part of the European Union acquis and are in Turkey's interest will also be implemented, Ala noted the following:

"Reforms will be carried out in many areas. They will be simultaneous, multi-field reforms requiring fine craftsmanship. For example, we discussed which reforms we will implement in agriculture at the Economic Coordination Council. Free movement of goods, the right and freedom of establishment, free movement of capital, company law, property law, competition policy, financial services, zoning law, consumer protection, protection of consumer health, competitiveness and inclusiveness, digital transformation and media, economic and monetary policy, social policy, employment, business and capital policy, science, research, education, culture, customs union, agriculture and rural development, food safety, plant health, fisheries, regional policy, and coordination of structural instruments are the areas being worked on."

"OUR WILL IS FULL ON THE ISSUE OF STRAY ANIMALS"

While touching upon the legislative work regarding stray dogs, Efkan Ala stated that "there cannot be stray dogs on the streets."

Emphasizing that they are following global examples on this issue and taking the views of all segments of society into account, Ala used the following expressions:

"The job of the state and municipalities is to ensure safety on the streets. They are mauling people; we cannot remain spectators to this. Tourism companies abroad are issuing 'rabies danger' warnings on Turkey tours. This picture does not suit Turkey. This problem will be solved effectively. We will likely see the new law before Parliament goes on recess. Our will is full on the issue of stray animals, which is seen as a problem area by both the government and the opposition."

NEW CONSTITUTION DISCUSSIONS

Ala said that Turkey needs a transparent, participatory, democratic, and civil constitution as soon as possible.

Stating that Turkey should leave all discussions behind by creating a constitution that fully reflects the national will and guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, Ala said, "We can build a strong country in every field by leaving constitutional discussions behind. Investors and capital do not come to a country where these discussions take place. Let us make a constitution that will make Turkey one of the 10 most developed countries in the world."