Gul hosts 81 governors at Cankaya Presidential Palace

President Abdullah Gul on Thursday had lunch with the 81 Governors on the occasion of the Meeting with Governors at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara. Starting his speech with his congratulations for newly appointed Interior Minister Muammer Guler who also served as Governor in different provinces in the past, Gul declared Governors as the affectionate hand of the state for our citizens. Stating that the raison d'etre of the state is to provide security and peace for its citizens and to keep the atmosphere for them where they can live freely and without fear even in the farthest town of the country, Gul said to governors, "You should be aware of the fact that the security precautions should not constrain the individuals' rights and freedoms. The latter, on the other hand, should not lead to any soft spots in security." Asking his guests to keep the families of martyrs and war veterans in high esteem and cherish them even more, President Gul laid special emphasis upon the importance of meeting the needs of these families with whom he declared they are entrusted by martyrs. The lunch was also attended by Interior Minister Muammer Guler, head of the Gendarmerie General Comman Gen. Bekir Kalyoncu, Coast Guard Commander Rear Admiral Hasan Usaklioglu, Deputy Interior Minister Osman Gunes, General Director of the Turkish National Police Mehmet Kiliclar and some officials from the Interior Ministry.