ANKARA
There is a need to reform the United Nations, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said.
Replying to questions at a dinner in the Swiss city of Davos Thursday, Davutoglu mentioned Palestine and Syria crises as examples of unresolved issues because of veto powers of five countries at the UN Security Council.
"What we are suggesting is, there is a need of UN reform," he said.
Elaborating his point, he said, "We do not have any problem with any of the five permanent states, but this is a structure which emerged after the Second World War."
The UN Security Council, which aims at ensuring peace and security in the world, has five permanent members with veto powers and 10 non-permanent members.
"Now we are in a global age and at the end of the day, these five permanent member states decide what will happen in any crisis point," the premier said.
He said the UN Security Council was responsible for the ultimate global order. "It should be, it must be inclusive of all humanity," the premier said.
He also added that there should be an international crisis management mechanism for security-related issues in the UN.
Turkey's EU membership
When Davutoglu was asked about Turkey’s accession to the EU, he said Turkey was ready to be a member of the EU, but he asked, "Is the EU ready to receive Turkey?"
The premier said Turkey was doing everything it could to join Europe. “Membership to the EU is our strategic objective."
Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005.
Negotiations, however, hit a stalemate in 2007 because of Turkey’s position on the Cyprus issue and opposition to its full EU membership by the German and French governments.
To gain membership, Turkey has to also successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters, which involve reforms and the adoption of European standards.
So far, 14 chapters have been opened, while 17 remain blocked and another four have yet to be discussed.
"I can assure you, Turkey will complete all accession process in two years if there is no political blockade. But, unfortunately, because of the Cyprus question and because of certain blockades by some countries, we cannot move forward," he said.
Davutoglu added the EU needed Turkey for peace, stability and economic dynamism.
