Parliament convenes special session to mark its 89th anniversary

On April 23 yesterday, Parliament convened a special session to mark the 89th anniversary of its foundation, which is also celebrated as National Sovereignty and Children's Day throughout the country. During the session, party representatives delivered speeches about the meaning and significance of the day. "Our Parliament goes down its path with the same enthusiasm, determination and responsibility as it had when it was founded," Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said in his address to Parliament. Toptan called Parliament the heart of democracy and the hope of the nation, as it was 89 years ago. He said that everyone should know that Turkey's cooperation in the Middle East, Caucasus and Balkans is firm and lasting. "The concept of the Turkish nation, defined by our great leader Ataturk as the people who established the Turkish Republic, emphasizes unity, not ethnic division," Toptan said. He said efforts to sow ethnic division threaten the greatest harm to the Turkish people, who have lived in peace and tranquility throughout history. Toptan also said that everyone should see differences as richness, not division. Toptan added that there is widespread consensus that the current Constitution is insufficient to respond to the democratic level the Turkish nation has reached. "I believe that our Parliament, in the wake of significant constitutional amendments and legal changes, will also take important steps in a spirit of pluralism and conciliation," Toptan said. Also speaking at the session, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that efforts to cause problems among Turkey's citizens are in vain. "Those who are trying to harm our atmosphere of stability and confidence and weaken us have always lost, and always will," Erdogan said. He added that any illegal initiative or underground group working to harm Parliament would be eliminated within the framework of democracy and the law. In related news, a show took place in Izmir as part of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation's (TRT) celebration of April 23rd Children's Festival yesterday. Nearly 1,000 children from 60 countries worldwide participated in the show. "TRT is very happy to welcome the children of the world in Izmir," said TRT Director Ibrahim Sahin. "I want you to tell about Turkey and its beauties when you go back to your home countries."