Turkish deputy premier says his country supports "legitimate demands" of Arab nations

DOHA (A.A) - December 12, 2011 - Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay on Sunday said Turkey always supported and would continue to support "legitimate demands" of the Arab nations. "Arab world is passing through a rapid process of change. Arab nations have rightful demands towards democracy and human rights, which we have always supported and continue to support," Atalay told a panel discussion on interaction between different cultures in Doha, Qatar, as part of the Alliance of Civilizations Forum.    Atalay said Turkey had a vast experience in welcoming and tolerating different cultures, adding that his country constituted a "model" since the Ottoman times. "Respect and tolerance for different cultures are in genes of Turks," Atalay told the panel discussion on "A New Paradigm on Managing Relations between Different Cultures," which was co-hosted by Turkey and Australia.