Thursday, November 24th 2016

Prizren Post: Can you give us a short presentation about the AK Party and in particular about the Youth Forum of the AK Party?

Melih ECERTAŞ: Since the day of its establishment, the AK Party has tried to include all of Turkey under one cedar with its knowledge and resources as a “leading country” and it is also the largest grouping in the country. We, as the AK Party’s Youth Forum, are a society that is interested in all the problems that the country’s youth have and we feel responsible for them, trying to represent them in every field.

Prizren Post: Can you tell us about the experiences of the AKP Youth Forum?

Melih ECERTAŞ: Now in Turkey there are about 20 million young people who will use the vote in 2019. First we listen to the youth, then we take their problems. We see ourselves as responsible for all the youth of Turkey.
With this understanding, we accept all the social, political and cultural voices of young people and represent them. Our founder Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has given a special place to the youth in the mechanisms of the party. Consultations are held in every issue that is related or not related to us, so we also continue our battle within the framework of these consultations.

Prizren Post: What role can the youth adopt for the maturation and development of the political flow?

Melih ECERTAŞ: Youth is the most important factor in the formation and dynamics of the country’s politics. In the evening of July 15, when there was an attempt to make a coup-state, the youth of the AK Party, together with the youth of other parties, came out together in the streets in defense of democracy.

When the prime minister called, we answered: “We are ready as president, we are waiting with readiness, we are always in the squares”. Coming to the defense of the country, democracy and clean politics in this period, the youth undoubtedly have a role. What we must do is to stand upright, steadfast and possess knowledge. In matters in which we are masters of knowledge, we are masters of beautiful ideas.

Prizren Post: How do you see the progress of political developments in the Balkans?

Melih ECERTAŞ: With the last referendum held by Republika Srpska, which is part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it worried the neighboring countries, it also worried Turkey. The approach of Bosnia towards EU membership and the increase of the West’s hatred towards Islam, from the Republika Srpska, such a step is expected. Turkey is ready to do everything it can to protect the peace, equality, territorial integrity and independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This readiness is available to all friendly countries in that region. Turkey has a strong historical, cultural and economic connection with almost all peoples there, we are very interested in the continuation of stability and peace in the Balkans and we are ready to provide the necessary assistance for this.

Prizren Post: What are your experiences with the youth forums of different parties from the Balkans?

Melih ECERTAŞ: We are in close contact with almost all the youth forums of the parties of every country in the Balkans.

Prizren Post: Unfortunately, among the Balkan youth, the influence of the terrorist organization FETO is very great. Regarding this negative phenomenon, how can a local consciousness be formed among the peoples who live there? How can we benefit from your experience about raising awareness about FETO and stopping its negative effects and activities with terrorist elements?

Melih ECERTAŞ: The foundations of FETO as an organization were laid 40 years ago, in many countries the crypto people have not yet been deciphered. We want the Balkan countries to learn from what we have experienced.

On July 15, just as the Turkish people showed their determination against the coup, our friends in the Balkans also showed the same thing by filling the squares. The call of our president also reached the Balkan geography and we felt that friendly support closely. We must continue this cooperation even after the coup attempt with determination together in the fight against this terrorist organization, we must not let young people fall prey to their trap called education, and all state levels must be cleaned from them. As much as FETO is threatening for Turkey, it is also for the Balkans.

Prizren Post: Turkey has consistently not spared support for Europe’s youngest state and for its youth, what are the possible ways of cooperation with you?

Melih ECERTAŞ: Kosovo is the youngest country in Europe in terms of population, this is a great advantage. Our task as young people is to invest in the future. The young people of Kosovo have this great potential that can be realized. If the youth work with all their strength, no one can stand up to them, but we must be humble. We must be confident and aware of our responsibility.

On behalf of Prizren Post interviewed: Jetmir MALOKU.

Etiketa: ak party, Interview, Jetmir Maloku, Melih Ecertaş, Turkey