ANKARA - ''Freedom of the press is one of the most important freedoms in an open society, democratic country, and a state of law,'' Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.
Attending the ceremony held at the Anadolu Agency (A.A) headquarters to celebrate the 85th anniversary of A.A's foundation, Erdogan said that the A.A had to become a brand for not only Turkey but also for the world.
After his speech, Erdogan inaugurated the broadcasting department together with Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay and A.A Director General Dr. Hilmi Bengi. Then, Erdogan visited the exhibition in which photographs taken by A.A photo reporters and were presented with several awards.
On the other hand, Dr. Hilmi Bengi, the Chairman of Executive Board and the Director General of the A.A, said that the A.A's target was to become an international news agency and a world brand.
Bengi stated that the A.A had the opportunity to make live broadcast thanks to the new vehicle it had purchased.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent a message to Bengi to mark the 85th anniversary of A.A's foundation. In his message, President Sezer said, ''we believe that Anadolu Agency will continue to transmit news and illuminate people without making concessions of its principles and goals.''