Ruling Pakistan People's Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has stated that he will discuss Turkish democracy at a meeting of the Socialist International (SI), an international organization of socialist, social democratic and labor political parties, at the end of this month.

Zardari, on a six-day foreign tour, met with President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday on cooperation between the two traditionally friendly countries.

He also announced that he would talk about Turkish democracy when he attends an upcoming congress of the SI in Athens. "I will provide some information about the Turkish democracy at the Socialist International congress," Zardari told reporters after a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with Erdoğan. "I will discuss advancement of the Turkish democracy with officials there," he added.

It was not clear what Zardari had in mind regarding the state of Turkish democracy, which is going through a troubled period over a closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), which is a member of the SI, has not confirmed whether he will be attending the congress in Athens amid reports that the global organization is preparing to warn his party about its undemocratic conduct and noncompliance with the principles of the SI.

Several news reports have indicated that the SI is preparing a motion to issue a warning to the CHP at its 23rd meeting, which will be held in Athens from June 30 to July 2. CHP leader Deniz Baykal, one of the vice presidents of the SI, is not planning to attend the meeting in order to avoid criticism, news reports suggest.

Zardari, husband of slain Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, said there was a democratic government in power in Pakistan, but added that the country still has a long way to go to achieve its goals for development and democracy. Zardari also met with Baykal, but no statement was issued afterwards.

The Pakistani people and the government are committed to improving ties with Turkey, said Zardari. Turkish newspaper reports said with his visit, Zardari seeks to improve business ties with Turkey and wants to attract Turkish investments in his country, particularly in areas of construction and energy.

Today's Zaman