EXCLUSIVE - JANE LOUISE KANDUR, MEMBER OF THE AKP PARTY AND DAILY SABAH JOURNALIST: "Turkey's future in the European Union is not currently a priority"

Reporter: What is your view on the failed coup that took place in Turkey?

Jane Louise Kandur: The attempted coup was a tragic betrayal of the Turkish democracy. The tragic loss of almost 250 lives, in the fight against the soldiers who betrayed their uniforms, is something that Turkey will never forget.

The coup has brought the Gulenist movement to light, which had movements against it for years.

The moves were slow and gradual (the reorganization of the Police, over the last three years. The police forces have shown, on July 15th, why these reforms are necessary. The police of July 2015 does not resemble the one that acted in the Gezi park (ed. note: in 2013 the Police stormed the Gezi park and dispersed the anti-government protesters). Last Friday, the Police acted in a heroic and humane manner.

Reporter: What do you think are the reasons it has come to this?

Jane Louise Kandur: There was going to be a military council in August. The replacement of certain generals and officers who were thought to be working against Turkey's interests was being discussed openly. In fact the president actually told them: "Resign before you are asked to leave". For that reason, the coup attempt was no surprise.

The reason why people who took to the streets so quickly (long before the president came out and asked them to do so) was the history that Turkey has with coups.

Many Turks may not like the president, they may even hate him; they may not like the AK party, they may even hate it, but they are elected representatives. If they are to leave, they should leave through a vote. Turkey has proven that.

Reporter: What will happen in Turkey from now on?

Jane Louise Kandur: Starting yesterday (ed. note: last Wednesday), the state of emergency has been instated in Turkey. This is an emergency. The parliament, the cradle of democracy, was bombed nine times. Generals were kidnapped and kept in hidden locations.

Over the last 40 years, Gulenists (ed. note: supporters of preacher Gulen, an opponent of Erdogan) and their people have infiltrated the army, the judicial system, the bureaucracy, the education and the police.

I have already talked about the police. The other institutions need to free themselves of the people who are allied with any other faction than the Turkish Republic (the professors whose licenses have been revoked account for 5% of the total number of professors in Turkey).

Reporter: How are the relations with the US going to evolve, after the accusations that the United States have been involved in the attempted coup?

Jane Louise Kandur: The accusations against the United States being involved in the attempted coup have not been made officially. If the US acts promptly in detaining and extraditing Gulen, that will significantly contribute to reducing the resentment felt by the Turkish society for the delayed condemnation of the coup.

Reporter: How are the relations with NATO going to evolve from now on?

Jane Louise Kandur: As far as I know, the relations with NATO haven't changed in any way.

Reporter: What is your view on Turkey's future in the European Union?

Jane Louise Kandur: Turkey's future in the European Union is not a priority at the moment. Still, if the issue is going to be placed on the agenda, it will the object of a referendum. The feeling that Turkey is not going to be that interested in joining the EU is growing.

Reporter: Do you see a nearing to Russia, in the near future?

Jane Louise Kandur: Fixing the relations with Russia is very important. Russia is a close neighbor and we have many common interests.

Reporter: Do you see a solution to the migrant crisis in Europe?

Jane Louise Kandur: The best solution to the migrant crisis is the end of the war in Syria, so they can go home. If not, then a buffer area needs to be established. Perhaps now, with Russia's help, that will be possible.