Country profile

Political profile Official name Republic of Turkey - Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Population 70.7m (2005) Area 769,604 km² Density 92 persons/km² Distribution Urban- 69.9%, Rural- 35.1% Neighbours Armenia (268 km border), Azerbaijan (9), Bulgaria (240), Georgia (252) ,Greece (206), Iran (499), Iraq (331), Syria (882) Population profile Majority Turkish; Kurdish, Circasian, Bosnian, Roma, Arab and others (Source: European Commission, Regular Report on Turkey’s progress towards accession (COM(2004) 656 final). Language(s) Turkish (official language), Kurdish, Circasian, Arabic and Bosnian; other languages and dialects Religion Muslim: 99.8%; Christian, Jewish and others 0.2% Life expectancy Average: 72.08, 69.68 (male), 74.61 (female) Political history The foundation of modern Turkey took place in 1923 when a republic was declared with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as President. A law abolishing the Caliphate was passed in March, 1924. A series of measures known as the Kemalist reforms lead to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, the introduction of a modified latin alphabet and the adoption of new civil, commercial and penal codes based on European models. Turkey became a secular state in 1928, when the clause retaining Islam as the state religion was removed. In 1945 Turkey entered the Second World War on the side of the Allies against Germany. It joined the United Nations in the same year, and became a member of the NATO alliance in 1952. In August 1949 Turkey joined the Council of Europe shortly after its foundation. Turkey held its first open elections in 1950, which were won by the Democratic Party. An army coup subsequently deposed the party from office in 1960. A new constitution providing for a bicameral legislature was adopted the following year. In 1963 Turkey signs an Association agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC). A New constitution was adopted in 1982 following a military coup and the imposition of martial law in 1980. The new Constitution created a seven-year presidency, and reduced the parliament to a single house. Turkey applied for full EEC membership in 1987 (see Turkey- EU relations below). Tansu Ciller became Turkey's first female prime minister in 1993. In 2000 Ahmet Necdet Sezer took over as President from Suleyman Demirel. In 2002, Parliament began to approve reforms aimed at securing EU membership. The abolition of the death penalty was one of the first to be approved. In the November 2002 election, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) won a clear majority of seats in Parliament. Deputy leader Abdullah Gül was appointed Prime Minister. He was later replaced by Recep Tayyip Erdogan after constitutional changes allowed for the latter to run for Parliament.  Political system Turkey is a Parliamentary Republic. Its present Constitution was ratified 7 November 1982 and has been amended several times since then. The parliamentary system is unicameral, with the 550 members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) facing election every five years. The head of state is the President who is elected by an absolute majority of the TGNA to serve a seven year term. The laws passed by the TGNA must be promulgated by the President within 15 days. The President may, however, refer the law back to the Parliament for reconsideration. The next Parliamentary elections are due to take place by November 2002. The central administration, headed by the government, is represented in the territory by 81 governors in the 81 provinces. There are sub-governors at district level. Though similar to the French "prefet", the Governor is assisted by a directly elected provincial council, and district councils. Several ministries have offices at provincial and district level. An autonomous local administration exists at the level of municipalities (16 large metropolitan municipalities (MM) - subdivided in sectors - and 3200 other smaller towns) which elect a mayor and a municipal council. Istanbul MM has a population of 8.5 million, Ankara over 3 million, Izmir over 2 million.   Current political situation The Present government is formed by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and took up office following the November 2002 general election. The AKP and the People’s Republican party (CHP) were the only parties to enter the parliament following the November 2002 elections. However, due to resignations and the transfer of deputies from the AKP and the CHP to other parties, the number of parties represented in Parliament has grown to six. These are the AKP, the CHP, the True Path Party (DYP), the People’s Ascent Party (HYP), the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the Social Democratic and Populist Party (SHP). Main Issues in the perspective of EU accession The continuation of political reforms in light of the Copenhagen political criteria, including the respect for democracy and the rule of law, the protection of human rights and guaranteeing the rights of minorities. The enhanced political dialogue between the EU and Turkey supporting, in particular the efforts of the UN Secretary General to reach a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue. Maintaining positive relations with neighboring countries Composition of the Government (Source: Economist Intelligence Unit Country Report on Turkey, April 2005.) Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Deputy Prime Minister and Min. Foreign affairs Abdullah Gül Deputy Prime Minister and minister of state Abdullatif Sener Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of state Mehmat Ali Sahin Minister of state Mehmet Aydin Minister of state Ali Babacan Minister of state Besir Atalay Minister of state Atill Koc Min. Agriculture Sami Guclu Min. Defence Vecdi Gonul Min. Education Huseyin Celik Min. Employment and Social Security Murat Basesgioglu Min. Energy and Natural Resources Hilmi Guler Min. Environment Kursat Tuzmen Min. Finance Kemal Unakitan Min. Forestry Osman Pepe Min. Health Recep Akdag Min. Housing and Public works Zeki Ergezen Min. Industry and Trade Ali Coskun Min. Interior Abdulkadir Aksu Min. Justice Cemil Cicek Tourism and Culture Atilla Koc Transport Binali Yildirim

*Source: European Union