Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, was sworn in today and began his third term as president of Turkey.
Erdogan, 69, who won with 52 percent of the vote in the second round of presidential elections held on May 28, was sworn in before parliament for a new five-year term and promised to carry out his duties "impartially".
After taking the oath, Erdogan is scheduled to visit the mausoleum of the founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. During the evening, a protocol ceremony in the presidential palace and a reception are planned, after which he will announce the composition of his government.
"As president, I swear to protect the existence and independence of the state, the integrity of the fatherland, the unconditional sovereignty of the nation, the rule of law and the principle of a secular republic, as envisioned by Ataturk (the father of the nation)," said Erdogan, known for his Islamic conservative views.
Local media reported that in addition to 20 heads of state and government, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenber also confirmed his presence, as Turkey is a member of the Alliance.
As previously announced, the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, will attend, at the invitation of Erdogan, the inauguration ceremony in Ankara.
Among the guests are the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dačić. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
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