Speech by Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu of Turkey to the Istanbul Conference on Democracy and Global Security 

Distinguished Guests,

Esteemed Colleagues,

Scientists and Academicians,

Esteemed Members of Media,

It is great pleasure for me to address you and to be together with you our honorable guests who came to Istanbul from different parts of the world on the occasion of opening ceremony of the “Istanbul Conference on Democracy and Global Security” that was organized by our Police Organization.

With this opportunity, I would like to welcome you our esteemed guests who undertaken duty of the highest virtue by presenting all their knowledge and experiences to the joint benefit of the world and by giving importance to the democratic values, peace and security of the world, and I would like to greet you with my sincere regards.

Esteemed Guests,

In our period which is the scene of the conflicts between two different values; while on one side values such as democracy, rule of law, individual rights and freedoms are taken place, on the other side we witness existence of supporters of political violence, terrorism and fanaticism.

Together with the rapid globalization, it is observed that geographical borders have lost their former importance and an event taken place or a decision taken anywhere in the world effects individuals and societies in any other part of the world.

Modern age with industrialization and its affiliated institutions has brought together renewal of national and international relations continuously.

While 19th century was witnessing establishment of nation-states, 20th century became scene of the Cold War and regional integration as the result of the war.      

21st century means technological developments making necessary the occurrence of global values and experience of rapid flow of human beings between the countries.

Technology, developments in mass media and economy has caused international relations to reach multi-dimensional level by enhancing mutual dependence and interaction between the countries.

In providing of global security, providing of national and regional security has became an indispensable element.

Every State is obliged to institutionalize democracy both in its own country and in its region as well as to provide the people live in peace and order.

With this regard, it is a reality that the states do not put into effect their own rules but bounded to international laws and customary practices that are joint acquaintance of the Nations. Rule of law, respect to democracy and human rights have become basic condition for respect and legitimacy in international society.

These developments, especially in 21st century, force countries to be in closer cooperation.

We have to re-construct together a world that will be the joint benefit of everybody within the framework of values mentioned above.

Distinguished Guests,

Living in a security takes first row in fundamental needs of the societies. Providing of social order where the individuals will be in secure is one of the main functions of the State.

It is not possible to mention economical development, peace and humanely living conditions in an environment where lack of security.

The way of establishment of an effective security system in a country is achieved not only by establishment of organizations big in number and equipped with every kind of technological possibilities. Even, it is not enough to equip the Police Forces with modern arms.

Having security forces effective and at the same time respectful to human rights and freedoms depend on understanding of service based on human relations and on solving changing problems of the society more than using technology.

Today, security forces of our country has one of the most important investments in the world in

the field of computer network, automated fingerprint inspections, investigation of scene of crime and laboratories.

Nevertheless, our main target is to further improve the trust of our people in the security forces and the cooperation and provide every section of the society to attend efforts in prevention of crimes.

Furthermore, moving from the necessity of qualified training of the security forces that will fight against crimes in a modern way and that will provide security service by meeting the needs of society, we are making every kind of training possibilities available to our organization. With this regard, the Turkish Police has an organization that can be an example to the world.

Esteemed Guests,

Peace and order are not elements that can be provided by the countries individually anymore. It is not possible for a country to live in peace within its own borders by closing its doors to the world.

It is not possible to fight against every kind of organized crime, primarily terrorism, trafficking in drugs, people snuggling, financial crimes and cyber crimes without international cooperation.

Even the fight against street crimes that are effecting social life seriously makes the exchange of information and experience compulsory.

For this reason, we consider this meeting in Istanbul that is the junction of civilizations, continents and cultures as an important and meaningful step forward which is giving hope for the future.

Distinguished academicians, politicians and professionals, seeing you all together here for solving of the joint problem of the world show that our efforts are not useless.

Our Government considers this meeting as an important step in the name of the peace of civilizations, and considers the thoughts to be explained as a prescription for the peace in the region and in the world.

In fact, the most meaningful and important investment to be made for peace and order that are joint matters and needs of the world is the development of a joint understanding and cooperation strategy in this field. Once this is achieved, implementation will be easier.

For this reason, I would like state that we are in conscious of the importance of information and experiences to be exchanged here and the historical role of you, the esteemed participants from 65 different countries from different parts of the world.

It is obvious that the results of this conference we are hosting will be beneficial not only for Turkey but also for all democracies and for all the countries. If we say that the world needs this more than ever, I think we do not use an exaggerated expression.

We are unable to find any solution except working together as team against the threat on Democracy, Good Governance and improvement of Human Rights along with Peace, Stability and cooperation.

It is clear that none of the single country or a group of some countries have been able to reach effective solutions against this threat.

Our priority on this way, to develop efficient policy to improve our law enforcement and its members which are supported to be guardian of the Human Rights, freedom and Democratic Values together with training and technology.

As a matter of this, such kinds of conferences have a great importance. Scientific, logical, effective and democratic proposed solutions which prepared by scientist and a member of law enforcement implementation agencies are to be really important opportunities for the future.

It must be created new working groups and new project in here, and it has to be implemented everywhere on the world. We are ready to give every kind of support.

Our country which is cross point of civilizations knows that our mission is to be a bridge between continents and cultures. The mission is to represents enough on this geographical land. For this purpose; we have necessary historical mission, cultural background, institutional experience and point of view at modern level.

Dear Guests,

I’d like to express that Turkey’s experience is one of the best practice on the fight against the terrorism globally. In aspect of its geopolitics position and historical relationships, our country is a role model in the problematic Middle East Area. Our country has managed   both absorption of Democratic, secular and contemporary criteria and integration of our traditional and local values with universal values of the modern world.

Doubtlessly, this great success belongs to our citizens perception on perform this process. Turkey has potential and great desire to support his region and world security and peace.

Behind this potential, it lays down not only experience of its professional law enforcement but also contemporary sensitivity of its citizens.

The features of having tolerance citizens that whether ordinary historical-cultural aggregation and or reflection of this aggregation’s profits are in our era that we feel to need more which will play a vital role on the build up peace and dialog communities.

In this era, Turkey will use it’s aggregations to win for democracy about strengthening to the fight against Terrorism.

At this fight against for loss of Terror sides we must get a common comprehension about fight against Terrorism.

In these senses and thinks, I wont to give a last to my words that I hope the conference get a successful for our region areas and in the world for getting peace and peace of mind.

And also I want to thanks to our precious guest for their valuable contribution to the conference and wide thinks.

I would like to present to you my deep respects and affections