ANKARA - "Democracy is a regime of compromise. Taking constructive criticisms into consideration will prevent wrong steps," said Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
Releasing a message to mark the Feast of Sacrifice and the new year, Sezer indicated that 2007 will be an important year for Turkey because of developments, which will have a direct impact on Turkey's future, particularly elections (presidential election and general elections).
Sezer stated that nobody should have doubts about expressing their views and problem.
"Everybody should behave sensitively to overcome the problems by being loyal to democratic values and without causing any tension. And, the executive power should fulfil their duties carefully. All steps should be taken by compromise, and everybody should refrain from initiatives, stances or behaviours which will block the path of our country and cause tension," he emphasized.
On Turkey's foreign policy, Sezer said that Turkey has always supported solution of international disputes through dialogue, respect and tolerance, adding that Turkey calls on the humanity to cooperate and be in solidarity to ensure regional peace and stability.
-IRAQ-
Expressing concern over clashes and attacks which kill thousands of innocent people in Iraq, Sezer said, "we want our Iraqi brothers to overcome this chaos in unity and solidarity and in the possible shortest time. We think that Iraq can take its place among free and sovereign nations only if all segments in the country protect Iraq's integrity."
"Ongoing clashes in the Middle East have increased with the new clashes in especially Lebanon and Palestine. All concerned parties should take care to prevent resumption of clashes, and we hope that Turkey's determined policy and stance will be an example for the friendly countries in our region," Sezer said.
Sezer went on saying, "it is one of our prior target to find peaceful and sustainable solutions to ongoing disputes between our friends and neighbors in the Caucasus in 2007. We believe that a peaceful solution in (Upper) Karabakh, in which will Azerbaijan's territorial integrity will be protected, will be for the best interests of all regional countries. Similarly, we think that the solution of Abkhazia and South Ossetia disputes by regarding Georgia's territorial integrity will be for the prosperity and well-being of all parties."
"We have been pleased that the clashes in the Balkans have been replaced with harmony and cooperation within the framework of Euro-Atlantic integration (of the countries in this region). We hope that this cooperation and harmony will be a leading factor for Kosovo talks and constitutional transformation efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2007," Sezer added.
-CYPRUS AND EU-
On Turkey's EU membership bid, Sezer said, "a fair and sustainable settlement in Cyprus is a rightful demand like our country's EU membership goal. Therefore, we are determined to maintain our sincere and constructive efforts regarding these two matters."
"It is our main goal to make Turkey a secular and well-managed country which has completed its EU membership process, which is committed to Ataturk's principles and reforms, which is preserving its domestic peace. The Republic of Turkey will protect its characteristics, unity and indivisible integrity, fulfil the requirements of being a contemporary country in the light of Ataturk's principles and reforms without any concessions, and reach brilliant days with the efforts of generations and institutions which are in compliance with the Republic," Sezer added.