Istanbul- Amid continuous debate about Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announcement to grant the Turkish nationality for the Syrians, the president defended his decision saying that Turkey has the spacial capacity to welcome Syrians, according to Hurriyet Newspaper.

Erdoğan announced on 2 July that the Turkish government is considering a project that will permit the Syrian refugees who can contribute in the country’s renaissance and development to acquire the nationality.

Since the crisis began in 2011, up to 2.7 million Syrians arrived to Turkey; only 10% of them live in the camps. However the others suffer in their attempt to integrate in the society and labor market.

Erdoğan decision to naturalize around 300.000 Syrians out of 3 million living in Turkey rose a political and public debate. “This is a dangerous matter that shows the wrong way Turkey is being ruled. This step is not humanitarian but serves the interest of the Justice and Development Party”, said Head of Republican People’s Party Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

From his part, Turkish Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tufenkci said that there is no specific number of the Syrians who can be granted the Turkish nationality, noting that the emphasis is on qualified individuals whose hands are clean from any crime. Thus, according to Tufenkci, any Syrian refugee who meets the requirements can acquire the nationally.

In his reply to the opposition critics, Minister of Customs and Trade stressed, “the importance of viewing potential Syrians to become Turkish as an added value that will contribute in the country’ economy and labor market”. He also noted that the opposition has not suggested any solution regarding the Syrians so far.