GUL: "IN MY FIRST YEAR AS PRESIDENT, I HAVE LIVED UP TO THE OATH OF OFFICE"

Turkish Press
Aug 29 2008

In an interview with news channel NTV, President Abdullah Gul yesterday
evaluated his first year in office. Stressing that the president must
keep an equal distance from all parties and ensure harmony among
constitutional institutions, Gul said that during his first year,
he had lived up to the presidential oath and kept the promises he
gave ahead of his election. "I`m aware of my duties and position as
president," he explained. "Impartiality is very important for me,
and I believe that I maintained my impartiality during my first
year in office. I included all citizens and opened the Presidential
Palace`s doors to everyone." On rising tension in the Caucasus in
the wake of Russian-Georgian conflict and Moscow`s recognition of the
breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Gul said that Turkey
would continue to help efforts to restore stability and peace to the
region, as indifference is not an option. Asked whether he accept an
invitation from the Armenian president to visit Yerevan to see World
Cup qualifying match between the Turkish and Armenian national teams,
Gul said hadn`t made a decision yet. "We need to concentrate our
energy in the international area," he added. "I believe that over the
next few years, Turkey will become the most dependable country in the
region." On the Cyprus issue, Gul said, "Turkey maintains its stance
regarding the Cyprus issue and supports a comprehensive solution." On
discussion over a possible new constitution, Gul said, "Nearly all
political parties have expressed the need for a new constitution,
but the most important thing on this issue is to reach a broad-based
consensus." /Turkiye-Sabah/