Turkish PM says will discuss constitution with MHP head

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has announced he will meet opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli for talks on changes to the country’s constitution.

The exact date of the meeting was not given, but Yildirim said Tuesday it would took place "at the earliest".

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's group meeting in the parliament, the premier advised caution on reports about the draft of the constitution.

"It is not right to announce the details of the draft constitution without coming to terms with it," he said, adding: "Do not pay attention to rumors."

About whether Turkey’s president could be the chairman or a member of his political party, Yildirim said: "It will all be clear soon."

The government has long sought to replace the current parliamentary system with a presidential one, saying there are flaws in the set up, which also holds back Turkey’s development.

On Oct. 30, Yildirim said a committee within the AK Party had completed its work on a draft constitution that also included items for a presidential system.

The proposed changes would be put to a public referendum even if the government got the necessary votes in parliament to avoid the need for one, Yildirim had said.

- EU to 'lose the most'

Speaking in the AK Party group meeting, Yildirim said the EU would lose more in its tensions with Turkey.

The remarks came after the European Parliament approved a non-binding motion Thursday urging a freeze on accession talks with Ankara.

"I am putting this clearly to all our interlocutors. Both parties will lose in Turkey-EU tension, but if you ask me, who will lose more, then there is no doubt it is the EU," the premier said.

"The EU should know this, having good relations with Turkey is a must for Europe's security in the future," he added.

On Nov. 25, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also strongly criticized the EU on Friday, accusing it of breaking its promises on refugees.

Erdogan told EU: “You did not keep your word. When 50,000 refugees were at the Kapikule [Turkey-Bulgaria] border, you cried out.

“You started to say: 'What will we do if Turkey opens its border gates?'," he said, adding: “If you go too far, the border gates will be opened."