The substantial transition process unfolding due to rapid technological
developments requires countries to develop futureoriented and
foresighted strategies in order to be politically and economically
strong. Countries should keep their doors open
to changes, novelties and opportunities in the world, while preserving
their own values and identities and enriching them with contemporary
approaches. Achieving success and establishing an effective, modern and
transparent understanding of administration is an undeniable condition
of a state of order based on human rights, the rule of law,
participatory democracy, ethical values and equality of opportunity.
The primary objective of our Republic is to
attain a social order that safeguards fundamental rights and freedoms,
that has become a respected member of the modern world, that has
reached the economic, social and cultural level of our age, that
practices democracy with all its institutions and principles, and where
science and reason are paramount. Atatürk's
principles and reforms as the basis of our national unity, will
continue to enlighten our way toward achieving this objective.
The positive results of structural reforms
that Turkey has realized in its way to integration into the modern
world strengthen our resolve in the processes of democratization and
membership to the European Union. We shall continue our progress in
this field relentlessly and swiftly in order to put into practice the
necessary implementations. The steadfast
accomplishment of the harmonization process with the European Union
depends on the decisive realization of similar transition steps. The
efficiency of our Assembly and our Government in this process is worthy
of praise. We believe that political, administrative and judicial
reforms will continue in the period ahead. It
is a fact that as a developing country we face important problems. The
solutions to these problems can only be found within a culture of
conciliation. I find it useful to emphasize that a conciliatory
approach embracing all segments of society is all the more needed while
putting into effect practices that advance our country to the
contemporary level of civilization. While the
necessary strides are made to move our society forward to levels of
prosperity enjoyed by developed countries, importance should be
attributed to the preservation of our social and cultural
characteristics such as tolerance, mutual assistance, unity and
solidarity. Acts that promote discrimination based on ethnicity and
religion, and target our unity and integrity based on regional
differences, should not be tolerated. Today,
the Turkish nation, as a respected and honourable nation celebrates
proudly the 80th Anniversary of the establishment of the Republic.
The structure of our State, whose framework
was established with the Republic and strengthened by Atatürk's
principles and reforms is the result of Turkish nation's own free will
for modernity. The principles of the Republic
of Turkey cannot change and cannot be changed. The Republic of Turkey
will eternally preserve its characteristic of a democratic, secular and
social State based on the rule of law.RULE OF LAW AND
DEMOCRACY The state of order that was
established taking into consideration public interest, can only be
sustained by complying and ensuring compliance with the rule of law. A
State based on the rule of law requires everybody and foremost the
organs of the legislative, the executive, the judiciary and the
administration, to abide by the rules. The compliance by the
legislative, executive and judiciary organs to the law can only be
accomplished by abiding to superior rules of law and constitutional
rules and principles. The elements that
restrain government are the rule of law and democracy. The preeminent
characteristic of the 20th century is undoubtedly the spread of the
ideals of democracy and its broad application. Participation and
pluralism have become the determining features of modern democracies.
Especially pluralism is the founding block of a democratic State based
on the rule of law. Democracy is a superior
system of administration not only because it foresees government by
majority, but also because it envisages the protection of the rights of
those which are in minority and reflects the views of the latter to the
government. The respect and consideration for the rights and opinions
of the opposition by the government is the virtue of democracy.
Today, the world is evolving from
representative democracy to participatory democracy. The participation
of individuals in the decisionmaking process and their generation of
opinions and solutions will unquestionably contribute to the
entrenchment of democratic consciousness and to the development of
political culture. The presence of a strong
civic awareness is a sine qua non for participatory democracy. It is
impossible to put participatory democracy into effect in societies
where civic awareness does not stand at a high level.
The principle of State based on the rule of
law, which is among the characteristics of the Republic as enshrined in
Article 2 of our Constitution, is one of the fundamental
characteristics of all contemporary democratic regimes. In short, it
indicates a system in which the law protects citizens and where actions
and proceedings of the State are subject to the rule of law.
The rule of law is the most important stage
reached by modern democratic civilization. It is only in a democratic
State based on the rule of law and where legal protection is ensured
that citizens may have confidence in the State and develop their
identity without fear One of the most important
elements of the rule of law is, without a doubt, the independence of
the judiciary. If the organs that supervise the legality of legislative
and executive acts are not fully independent, the benefits expected
from judicial review cannot be yielded ECONOMY
A bright future can be established by a robust economy whose internal
and external balances are stable. It is our desire that Turkey
continues its development with a strong economy and a healthy
democracy. Latest macroeconomic indicators
show that positive developments are gaining momentum. The decrease of
external uncertainties and the continued implementation of an economic
program enable 2003 basic macroeconomic targets to be met.
When we look at developments regarding foreign
trade, we observe an increase both in imports and exports and hence a
deepened integration into the global economy.
Within the framework of the current economic program, we are pleased to
note that an environment of confidence has been created. In order to
achieve the perpetuation of current economic achievements, the same
determination should be displayed regarding the implementation of the
economic program. Unemployment deeply affects
our nation both in economic and social terms. It is one of the basic
problems that should be dealt with immediately. If we are to look to
the future with confidence and create a peaceful and prosperous social
structure, priority should be given to reduce unemployment and economic
resources should be allocated to this end. The swift implementation of
measures aimed at reducing unemployment will become an assurances of
social peace. The need to make a maximum use
of foreign capital in a rational manner and by safeguarding the
country's interests in order to obtain economic development was clearly
underlined many years ago in the inagugural speech delivered by Atatürk
at the 1923 Congress. Today as well, sufficient growth in the country's
economy cannot be achieved solely by activating internal resources. In
order to transfer technology as well as to establish new enterprises
and to contribute to the alleviation of the problem of unemployment, it
is important to ensure foreign capital investment in our country.
CITIZENSTATE RELATIONSHIP One of the
prerequisites for the Republic of Turkey to reach its defined goals is
to place the sentiment of confidence at the heart of the citizenstate
relationship. While creating and preserving
this confidence, the main duty falls on the State. In order to create
this confidence the State should have an understanding of an
informative and accountable administration and not to discriminate
between its citizens; fulfil its promises on time; and care for the
respectability of its citizens.
[ 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 .. ] 
