ISTANBUL - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday, ''our country has made great progress and lived through significant transformations since the foundation of the Republic. Now, it is our main aim to further develop Turkey and to lead it to take its place among the most powerful democratic countries in the world.''
Speaking at a ceremony marking the beginning of the new academic year at Istanbul's Marmara University, President Sezer said, ''a country can develop only through science and technology. In fact, Turkey has a great dynamic power due its young population. If we succeed in using this power in an appropriate way, Turkey will have a distinguished place in the world as one of the most influential countries of the 21st century.''
Calling on young people to preserve their confidence in democracy and the Republic, President Sezer said, ''I believe that you will never make concessions from our modern and secular Republic and from your determination to maintain reforms and principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.''
''Our country has made great progress and lived through significant transformations since the foundation of the Republic. Now, it is our main aim to further develop Turkey and to lead it to take its place among the most powerful democratic countries in the world. Development and modernization of Turkey without making any concessions from its secular and democratic structure and its integration with the modern world will be achieved with the success of our young citizens,'' President Sezer added.
(UK-ULG) 05.10.2004