Ahmet Davutoğlu addresses AKP members: I have never spiritually broken away

Former Prime Minister and Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu answered questions from journalists in Konya. Stating that the world is in a major political crisis, Davutoğlu announced that he had written letters to President Erdoğan and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli following his visit to northern Iraq.

Stating that he conveyed his recommendations to Erdoğan and Bahçeli in the letters, Davutoğlu said, "Thankfully, Mr. Bahçeli called me by phone 2 hours after receiving the letter and said, 'I agree with your assessments.' Our President also replied with a letter a week later. After the events in Syria, I sent letters again to both Mr. Bahçeli and our President. There is no room for resentment in the state. Our primary concern is to protect the unity of the nation. Our second concern, our issue, is to keep the state standing."

'I HAVE NEVER SPIRITUALLY BROKEN AWAY'

Stating that he has never broken away from the AKP in spirit, Davutoğlu said, "I am not pursuing any agenda regarding the past. I am extending my hand to everyone, both the opposition and the government. Our door is open to anyone who wants to meet with us. As for the masses, I am a part of those masses, let no one take offense. I came from among them. My AKP brothers and sisters, I am not offended or hurt by you. I emerged from among you and I am still spiritually among you."

'MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE 30 THOUSAND'

Speaking about the minimum wage increase, Davutoğlu stated that the minimum wage should not be below 30 thousand liras and said, "Turkey's biggest problem today is injustice in income. On one side, there is a very small group, less than 1 percent, living in luxury without producing anything, living off interest income. On the other side, there are those who cannot even bring bread to their homes. That is the situation. God forbid, in an extraordinary condition, in a crisis, in a war, it could lead to major social explosions."

'I WAS PROVEN RIGHT ON SYRIA'

Regarding the events in Syria, Davutoğlu said the following:

"What Israel is doing is a despicable attack. It is also very grave that countries, including Turkey, do not react sufficiently to this attack. What Israel is currently trying to do is to act opportunistically and push its security rights beyond their limits.

Israel entered in a five-kilometer corridor six months ago. It entered during the Assad era, in a way by agreement. Assad did nothing. He has not fired a single bullet against Israel. He massacred his own people, just 40 thousand people in 1982, then exiled millions of people and killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Against Israel, Syria, the Assad regime, both father Assad and son Assad, did not fire a single bullet. But they wanted him to stay in power. Because they wanted a weak Syria. A Syria that is not at peace with its people. In summary, Israel's attacks are illegitimate. The Islamic world and Turkey must react harshly to this."