By Dildar Baykan and S. Ahmet Aytac
ANKARA
Over 100 Arab intellectuals and politicians signed a declaration on Monday to support Turkey ahead of the upcoming elections.
Members of The Forum of Thought and Strategic Studies came together in Istanbul last weekend where the document was inked.
Former Iraqi Vice President al-Hashimi
Its signatories include: Former Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, former Tunisian Prime Minister Hammed al-Gebali, former Syrian minister Asaad Moustafa, Mauritanian scholar Sheikh Mohammed al-Ahassan al-Addo and Malaysian Quds Foundation's head Sherif Abu Shamala.
"Turkey has stood by developing countries economically, politically, socially and militarily," said the statement.
It highlighted the role played by the Turkish government in maintaining its national security and that of the region.
“The elected Turkish state institutions are characterized with democratic systems" and represent diversity and a commitment to international standards, it added.
The forum paid tribute to the modern Turkish model of governance and called the country a bulwark in confronting terrorism.
The scholars said Turkey was being targeted by the media through distortion campaigns.
The forum called on Arab states and people to honor the Turkish nation in its quest to uphold democratic values.
This April, parliament passed a bill for early elections on June 24, cementing Turkey’s move to a presidential system.
