Turkish parliament's executive power should be strengthened: Ex-President Gül

Political sustainability is not limited to holding a majority at parliament, former President Abdullah Gül has said, highlighting the importance of ?justice and politics in economic growth.?

Gül also indirectly stressed that if Turkey is considering a change in the political system, then parliament should be strengthened.

He was meeting with a group of former deputies and members of the Parliamentarians? Union late on Jan. 21. The group included Kaya Erdem, Fikret Ünlü, Zeki Yavuztürk, ?smail Müftüo?lu, Nevzat Yalç?nta?, Azmi Ate? and Nazl? Il?cak.

?We should change our style of politics and avoid wasting our energy on pitched battles,? he reportedly told the group.

The former president also stressed the opportunities and threats facing Turkey in the near future, particularly in its region.

?Previously, Saddam [Hussein] was a threat in the Middle East. Today, there are similar threats from a series of sources against Turkey. We must increase our democratic standards. Our test is this: Should we remain as a middle income country, or challenge ourselves as a high income country,? Gül said.

?We cannot be happy with a 5 percent growth rate alone. Not only the economy, but politics and the law are significant for development. There are radical reforms that should be made. We see what developing countries are doing, countries that were victims in World War II lifted their borders after the great costs of the war. They reinforced law and democracy,? he said.

Turkey has made important progress and lifted many bans, but the country needs to increase its standards on democracy, freedoms, rights and the rule of law, Gül also said.