ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has said, ''the Turkish society taking its power from co-existence of Muslim, Christian and Jewish citizens in tolerance and solidarity for centuries, has constituted a good model.''
President Sezer released a message on Tuesday to Mark the Christmas.
In his message, President Sezer said, ''I am pleased with sharing our Christian citizens' enthusiasm of Christmas.''
''On this very special occasion, I want to say that we have recorded a great progress in bringing our citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms to the utmost level and making their future more secure as a result of the determined steps taken in 2003 for integration of our country with Europe,'' he said.
President Sezer noted, ''the Turkish society taking its power from co-existence of Muslim, Christian and Jewish citizens in tolerance and solidarity for centuries, has constituted a good model. Turkey, the cradle of many civilizations including the Christian civilization, is hopeful about its future with these rooted traditions and its social structure.''
ERDOGAN CONGRATULATES CHRISTMAS DAY OF CHRISTIAN WORLD
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Christmas day of Christian world on Tuesday.
Releasing a message, Erdogan said, ''I congratulate Christmas day of all Christian Turkish citizens and Christian world.''
Erdogan said that he shared feelings of love, solidarity and tolerance as common values of humanity on this day which was celebrated as birthday of Jesus Christ.
Erdogan wished peace and happiness for all people and expressed his best wishes and love to Christian citizens.
(EÖ-AÖ) 23.12.2003