MARKING SOVEREIGNTY DAY, GUL RECEIVES POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS
President Abdullah Gul yesterday hosted a luncheon with political party leaders at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in honor of April 23, National Sovereignty and Children`s Day. Attending the luncheon were Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, Democratic Society Party (DTP) group leader Ahmet Turk, Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer, Freedom and Solidarity Party leader (ODP) Ufuk Uras and Great Union Party (BBP) leader Muhsin Yazicioglu. Only the leader of the main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) was absent. Speaking at the luncheon, Gul said that Turkey faces both opportunities and risks such as terrorism, the economy, separatism and efforts to strengthen democracy. Gul also received children from throughout Turkey as a part of Children`s Day celebrations. Speaking at the gathering, Gul told the young visitors, "When you govern Turkey, it will be richer and greater than it is now. Through your efforts, Turkey will rise." /Aksam/
ERDOGAN: "THE TURKISH REPUBLIC AND ITS VALUES ARE FULLY EMBRACED BY THE PEOPLE"
The 88th anniversary of Parliament and April 23 National Sovereignty and Children`s Day were celebrated across the nation yesterday, and high-level officials, opposition party leaders, and ruling and opposition party deputies convened in a special session in the first Parliament building where the republic was established in 1923. Speaking at the meeting, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said, "Turkey is continuing its path with the same spirit, enthusiasm and determination as in the 1920s." Stressing that Parliament had restored the Turkish people to independence under difficult conditions, he said, "Today there is no problem that Parliament cannot overcome." There was also a special session of Parliament yesterday. Addressing the session, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "The Turkish Republic and its values took root and have been completely embraced by the people." Stressing that with the establishment of Parliament, the Turkish people became the most important factor in the political system, he said, "To solve our problems, we must only rely on the will of the people and the democratic legitimacy derived from it, just as Ataturk and his fellows did the same during the struggle for national independence." Stating that everyone should respect the principle that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people, Erdogan added, "Turkey is changing. Some people need to grasp this change and act in accordance with it." Main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal and opposition National Movement Party (MHP) leader Bahceli also addressed Parliament. Saying that the government must respect the Constitution`s principle of secularism, Baykal accused it of abusing its powers for political gain. Stressing that Turkey has recently faced international pressure on critical issues, Bahceli said, "Parliament is only institution that can save the country from its current problems." Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) parliamentary group chairman Ahmet Turk and Great Union Party (BBP) leader Muhsin Yazicioglu also addressed Parliament. /Turkiye/
TOPTAN HOSTS HOLIDAY RECEPTION AT PARLIAMENT
Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan yesterday hosted a reception at Parliament in honor of April 23, National Sovereignty and Children`s Day. Attending the reception were President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Hasim Kilic, Democratic Society Party (DTP) group leader Ahmet Turk, representatives from non-governmental organizations and trade unions, and many foreign ambassadors. /Aksam/
TRNC PRESIDENT TO VISIT ANKARA
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat will arrive in Ankara today to have talks with top Turkish officials. Talat will address a conference on Cyprus tomorrow and also meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul. /Cumhuriyet/
BATTLE OF GALLIPOLI COMMEMORATED
A ceremony will be held in Canakkale today to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli. New Zealand`s Foreign Minister Winston Peters arrived in Istanbul yesterday. He will attend the ceremony in Canakkale before paying a visit to Ankara. /Cumhuriyet-Turkish Daily News/
ERDOGAN DISCUSSES CLOSURE CASE WITH AKP DEPUTIES
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday began receiving deputies of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in groups of 50 to discuss the closure case against the party. During yesterday`s first six-hour meeting at AKP headquarters in Ankara, Erdogan said that they are exploring all possibilities. Urging the deputies to avoid commenting or acting on the case, Erdogan said he hoped it would be concluded soon to help dispel the air of uncertainty hanging over Turkey. The premier will meet with the second group of deputies tomorrow. /Milliyet/
SLOVENIAN PRESIDENT: "IF THE EU WANTS TO BECOME A GLOBAL ACTOR, IT NEEDS TURKEY"
If the European Union wants to become a strategic global actor, it needs Turkey, said Danilo Turk, the president of Slovenia, which currently holds the EU presidency. Addressing the European Parliament, Turk said that the EU shouldn`t shrink Turkey from its commitment to follow through on Turkey`s full membership process, warning that doing so would damage the Union`s honor. /Star/