Toptan hosts april 23 reception in parliament

Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan last evening hosted a reception at Parliament in honor of April 23, National Sovereignty and Children's Day. Attending the reception were President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, deputies and high-level state officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations and trade unions, and many foreign ambassadors. During the reception, many guests spoke about ongoing talks between Turkey and Armenia towards normalized relations and a possible Cabinet reshuffle. Asked about the Turkish-Armenian talks, Gul said these intensive diplomatic efforts had been helped by the US, Russia and the European Union. "If these efforts bring a positive outcome, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the entire region, will benefit from this," he added. "I believe that this will be understood better and appreciated in the long term." Gul also reiterated that Turkey would never do anything which would harm Azerbaijan. Asked about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, Erdogan criticized media speculation, saying he would make a statement when the time comes.