DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan made statements regarding the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan during the New Way Group Meeting held at the TBMM. Stating that the public must be informed about what threats the agreement addresses, its objectives, and how it will be implemented, Babacan said, "We cannot support this agreement without receiving answers to these questions."
Babacan argued that although the text has been submitted to Parliament, members of parliament have not been able to see the agreement, claiming that the process is not being conducted transparently. Expressing that they are forced to make assessments based on the text reflected in the international press, Babacan reacted by saying, "It is coming to Parliament, but it is still secret."
Emphasizing that a separate parliamentary decision is required regarding the possibility of the Turkish Armed Forces serving in another country, Babacan stated, "If the issue is our Mehmetçik (Turkish soldiers) serving in another country in one way or another, that comes to Parliament separately, is evaluated separately, and the supreme Parliament makes the decision on this."
Stating that the agreement includes a clause preventing withdrawal for 10 years after it enters into force, Babacan alleged that the text contains technical problems and contradictory expressions. Noting that the ultimate goal of Turkey's steps in the region should be peace, Babacan expressed that Turkey must maintain its status as a "principled and reliable mediator."
CRITICISM OF THE BUDGET AND FUND CRISIS
In his speech, Babacan also criticized the 2027 Central Government Budget Law Proposal, arguing that the priority in the budget is interest, not production or labor. Stating that the appropriation allocated for interest in 2027 is 3 trillion 975 billion liras, Babacan reacted to the government by comparing this increase with pensions, minimum wage, and farmer incomes.
Babacan claimed that the interest burden in the budget means a "huge transfer of income and wealth." Stating that interest payments will be financed through taxes or new borrowing, Babacan expressed that the price of this will be paid by retirees, workers, tradespeople, and farmers.
Speaking about the fund crisis, Babacan recalled the words of Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, who previously stated that they were aware that manipulation was being carried out through certain funds. Asking, "Who held your hands for exactly 10 months?" Babacan demanded an explanation as to whether President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was informed about the process.
Bringing up Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz's statements regarding portfolio size, Babacan argued that there is a contradiction between the statements of the economic management. He reiterated his call for the disclosure of lists regarding the fund crisis and the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry commission.
Babacan claimed that the total value of companies traded on Borsa Istanbul fell by 100 billion dollars following the fund crisis. Comparing this amount to the annual incomes of tea and hazelnut producers, Babacan said that the loss is of a magnitude comparable to the labor of producers spread over years.
Babacan began his speech by conveying his best wishes to the citizens affected by the flood disaster in Istanbul and surrounding provinces, stating that the affected tradespeople and citizens should not be left alone. He stated that the central government and municipalities have a responsibility to prepare cities for disasters.
News Source: 12punto
