Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Monday said that "positive and negative developments in the world, around Turkey and within Turkey, no doubt, made this legislative year more sensitive than previous ones".
Making the opening remarks of the new legislative year at the Turkish Parliament, President Gul said that he believed all those who participated in the elections and won the title of a deputy should be able to join in legislative works until a definite legal decision came out.
"Any absence in the composition of the Turkish Parliament would help nothing but postpone solutions," Gul stated.
"Every new day, new beginning brings new hopes. At a time when global changes are taking place in economy, social lives and political fields, the Turkish Parliament is the most important institution that the nation has confidence in for the solution of all kinds of problems," Gul noted.
"Let us approach our thoughts and concerns with empathy. Let us continue to talk the truth but refrain from an attitude that alienates ourselves from each other," Gul stressed.
"As we know from past experiences and political history, a legislative year continues the way it begins," Gul stated.
"Turkey's relations with its neighbors are getting tested nowadays," Gul said.
"The peoples of Arabic countries destroyed the walls of fear in incidents that took place in the past two years. These peoples acted for freedom, justice and better economic conditions. This deep rooted movement in the Arab world is completely local and is a struggle for rights, laws and honor," Gul expressed.
Touching on Syria, President Gul said that Syria was destroying itself.
"Our preference is to see a Syria whose people are happy," Gul said.
"We are facing a regime in Syria that attacks its own citizens with heavy weapons. We have displayed a principled stance without discriminating among races, religions, sects or ideologies," Gul underlined.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Monday said that "deteriorating relations with certain neighbors due to developments beyond our control should be considered temporary".
Making the opening remarks of the new legislative year at the Turkish Parliament, President Gul said that Turkey had to preserve its target of promoting relations with neighbors based on friendship and mutual interests.
"There is an atmosphere of freedom in Turkey today in which everyone can easily express his/her views," Gul stressed.
"If there are certain deficiencies or wrong implementations and scenes that hurt democracy, they must be eradicated without wasting time," Gul stressed.
"No one should have any concerns or doubts about Turkey's being a state of laws," Gul noted.
"When writers, thinkers and intellectuals share their opinions without fear, such a case contributes to the prestige of a country. Likewise, it is important for journalists, news makers and media representatives not to meet any obstacles as they try to fulfill their duties of informing the public," Gul stated.
"No one should be sent to prison for expressing views through the media. There should be a distinction between those inciting violence and those merely expressing an opinion," Gul also said.
