Turkey's ruling AK Party is a 'unity movement', PM says

By Cansu Dikme

ANKARA

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party is a "unity movement", Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Monday.

The premier's comments came at a ceremony commemorating the 16th anniversary of the AK Party at a theme park in the capital’s Sincan district.

"AK Party is a movement of unity. It is the party of Turkey’s unity," Yildirim said.

The prime minister vowed to keep working towards Turkey’s vision for the future and its big goals.

"We will continue to serve our nation with enthusiasm, without any compromise on democracy, justice or freedom," he said.

Yildirim noted that the AK Party had survived a number of crises during its 16-year rule, such as the 2013 Gezi protests, which was a nationwide wave of protests against the government. He also recalled the Dec. 17-25 graft probes in 2013, which had targeted ministers, as well as last year's defeated July 15 coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) which left 240 martyrs and wounded nearly 2,200 people.

He went on to say that the AK Party would not fall into "lethargy" after spending the last 16 years in power, and would continue to work for the benefit of the nation.

"We hold ourselves responsible for ensuring justice for all. We will spend all our energy for Turkey," he said.

Referring to the "well-established" reforms and progress made during the rule of the AK Party in numerous fields from health to education, economy, transportation, justice, agriculture and tourism, Yildirim said Turkey was "fast approaching" its 2023 goals, as demonstrated by "the giant steps" taken in this regard.

"In line with the Republic's 2023 [100th anniversary] goals, Turkey will definitely take its place among the most developed countries in the world with its economy, technology, democracy, justice and freedom," he said.

Yildirim also vowed to bring to justice the PKK terrorists who murdered last Friday a 15-year-old boy in the Black Sea province of Trabzon. Eren Bulbul was martyred in a PKK terrorist attack while he helped gendarmes track terrorists in Macka, a town 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of Trabzon.

"The PKK murderers who shot you will definitely answer for this," he said.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.