ANKARA - Programme of the 58th government led by Prime Minister Abdullah Gul got vote of confidence of the parliament on Thursday.
A total of 516 deputies cast their votes in the open voting held with the electronic system at the parliament.
While 170 deputies cast their votes against programme of the government, 346 deputies voted in favor of it.
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul thanked deputies for voting in favor of programme of the 58th government, and said, ''now, it is time to take action instead of talking.''
After the 58th government won the confidence vote of the parliament, Prime Minister Gul addressed the Parliamentary General Assembly.
Recalling that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had designated him to form the new government after final results of the general elections on November 3 were announced, Prime Minister Gul said, ''programme of the 58th government was the object of confidence of our parliament. Therefore, I am grateful to the MPs.''
''A new period has begun. It is time to appraise this period all together. Now, it is time to take action instead of talking. As the 58th government of Turkey, we are well-prepared, resolute and determined. We will protect our equal stance to everyone. All citizens of the Republic of Turkey are our priority, and it is our duty to serve all of them in the best way. We have an equal stance to all non-governmental organizations, all press organs and all political parties. All of us are obliged to solve problems of our people, and to carry Turkey to its deserved level of modernization,'' he emphasized.
Gul said that their references which are Constitution, laws, Government Program, Urgent Action Plan and Party Program are clear to provide this. He added that they talked and discussed those subjects openly and now it is time to take action.
Noting that they are all ready to be in service of the nation, Gul said that they will be in a good dialogue and are open to all types of criticisms and advises.
Gul completed his speech by thanking and asking for support of all deputies including Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies who did not give vote of confidence to the program.
CHP leader Deniz Baykal, group leaders and deputies congratulated Gul after he completed his speech.
SEZER CONGRATULATES PRIME MINISTER GUL
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer congratulated Prime Minister Abdullah Gul after the 58th government won confidence vote of the parliament.
President Sezer sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Gul, and wished him success in his mission.