ANKARA - "I will embrace all our citizens without any discrimination," President Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday.
"I will maintain my impartiality and do everything in my power to ensure harmony among state organs," Gul stated in a keynote speech he made after he was sworn in as the 11th President of Turkey at the parliament.
Gul noted, "we are undergoing a period in which we have the opportunity to show not only ourselves but also the entire world how mature our democracy is."
"We have to work together to strengthen Turkey, and the goal of Great Leader Ataturk, the Founder of the Republic, to 'bring Turkey over the level of contemporary civilizations' should always be in our minds," he emphasized.
-SECULARISM-
On the other hand, Gul said, "the Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state of law. I will be determined to defend and fortify all these principles without any discrimination."
"Secularism, one of the basic principles of the Republic, is a social peace role as well as a model that liberalizes different living styles in a democratic life which is a system of rights and liberties. Moreover, the easiest way to eliminate clashes and disputes in a society is commitment to the principle of secularism," Gul added.
"Being a transparent community is a must for development of the countries and happiness of the people. Freedom of expression and freedoms of religion and conscience are the guarantees for our people to have a honorable life," Gul stressed.
President Gul noted, "our differences and diversities will be our treasure. If we can see this fact, we will be able to boost unity and order."
"The state exists in order to secure tranquility, prosperity and security of the people," he underlined.
Gul stated, "our main objective should be to settle circumstances providing our women to take part in every field of life in an active way. I will support every step which will serve for this objective."