The constitutional reforms in Turkey are a step forward – the country’s new constitution is better and more liberal, the expert in Turkic studies Artak Shakaryan told reporters on September 28.

The former constitution enabled the Government to easily prevent the activities of any political party that would fall into disfavor. From now on it will be much more difficult. “The former constitution allowed a political figure’s activities to be banned for up to five years, which was applied to Recep Erdogan in 1990s,” Shakaryan said. “On the threshold of the 2011 parliamentary elections over 50% of Turkish voters expressed their confidence in Erdogan, which was of high importance for him. The Kurdish boycott was the only flaw of the referendum. However, the Kurds that took part in the referendum voted for the reforms, while those boycotting it called the reforms ‘good’, but insufficient, they only solve the authorities’ problems,” the expert said.

Shakaryan stressed that the new constitutional reforms package was not a means for Turkey drawing closer to the European Union (EU), but a step aimed at consolidating the power and getting Recep Erdogan elected as President in 2011. “Turkish officials point out that membership in the European Union is no more Turkey’s priority,” he said. “Turkey had western orientation a few years ago, whereas Ankara is pursuing a complementary, multipronged policy. Evidence thereof is Turkey’s good relations with Iran and other Muslim states,” he said.