Turkey stresses importance of Ukraine's reform process

By Yusuf Hatip

COPENHAGEN (AA) – Turkey’s foreign minister said Wednesday that the reform process for Ukraine carries strategic importance.

“We want Ukraine to stand strongly on its legs. If the reform process isn’t successful, it can’t be achieved,” Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a speech at the international Ukraine Reform Conference in Denmark’s capital Copenhagen.

Cavusoglu said he was in Copenhagen to stress Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and reform process.

“Realizing inclusive reforms is never easy. I know it from my country, too,” he said, adding that unsuccessful reforms are never an option, as partially successful reforms fall short.

Cavusoglu said the driving force behind the reform process is the Ukrainian people’s will.

Stressing that steps should be taken against the corruption and oligarchs in the country, he added: “Unfortunately, oligarchs are still controlling the economy and policy in the country. I hear this directly from Turkish businessmen who work in Ukraine.”

He also welcomed the decision to establish a court to fight corruption in the country.

“Turkey will continue to support our good neighbor Ukraine,” Cavusoglu said.

Speaking to Turkish journalists after the conference, Cavusoglu praised the state of Turkey’s relations with Denmark.

“Our economic relations with Denmark are good, we have a tourism potential, and there is a serious interest in health tourism,” he said, adding that there are Turkish citizens living in the country.

He added that despite the good ties, the presence of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and PKK terrorists is “poisoning” politics in Denmark.

Stating that some countries believe they “have lessons” to teach Turkey, Cavusoglu said such countries should take care of things at home, where there are clear examples of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and anti-migration attitudes.

“These are all against human rights and they conflict with Europe’s common criteria.”

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including many women and children.

*Sena Guler in Ankara contributed to this story