Gul attends April 23rd reception at parliament

A reception was held at the Parliament on April 23 to celebrate National Sovereignty and Children's Day. During the reception which was hosted by President Abdullah Gul and attended by President of the Constitutional Court Hasim Kilic, National Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, National Education Minister Nabi Avci, members of Parliament and representatives of non-governmental organizations, the government was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag. Gul also responded to queries from the press at the Parliament with regard to the ongoing resolution process as to the Kurdish question. Underlining the importance of acting responsibly and making tireless efforts toward the resolution of the Kurdish question, Gul said all parties must be constructive and make contributions to the efforts in this regard. "For the resolution process to continue and end with success, the terrorist organization must lay down its arms both in and out of the country," Gul said. The president also declined to comment on the drafting of a new constitution by the parliamentary Constitutional Reconciliation Commission, and said reporters should direct their questions to Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, who chairs the commission. Gul added that he had no intention or plan to launch an initiative to bring together the leaders of the four political parties represented in Parliament for another round of discussions about the new constitution.