Gul, Erdogan receive governors from across Turkey

President Abdullah Gul yesterday hosted a luncheon for governors from Turkey's 81 provinces at the Çankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara. Interior Minister Besir Atalay and the newly appointed governors, some in their first posting as governor while the others now serving new provinces, were also in attendance. Speaking before the luncheon, Gul said the governors represent the state in their area of duty, and urged them to adopt a leadership approach based on ensuring harmony and coordination, expanding new horizons, and leading innovations, instead of one centered on formal authority-oriented leadership. He also said that governors should encourage their private sectors by providing a conducive business environment and help provincial companies solve their problems. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also received the governors at the Prime Ministry Residence. Erdogan told the governors they should continue to give a helping hand to needy people in their provinces under government social aid programs, and added that he would continue to support these efforts.