Turkish president considers recent plebiscite talks pleasing

Gul visited Necmettin Kalkan, mayor of Turkey's northeastern province of Artvin, and responded to the questions posed by journalists. 

Upon being asked of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's meeting with the Gezi Park delegation on Wednesday and plebiscite talks, Gul said, "Your statements are an indication of how democracy works and at high standards."

Emphasizing that those protesting the project at Taksim and holding talks with the head of cabinet was great, Gul said, "This is what we call dialogue. At the end, it will eventually reach a solution. Referendum is among the tools democratic societies make use of. It is possible. It is pleasing that this much debated issue has entered such dimension. It sets an example to the whole world and shall be followed. This shows we are mature enough to solve our problems by talking, discussing in dialogue and within framework of law. Therefore, I find the recent developments pleasing."

"People can have differing opinions and make protests. These are the nature of democracy but noone will approve of disturbing others, ruining shops, streets and violent attacks. These are against the law as well. Therefore, ending such incidents is the duty of all of us including government officials and citizens," Gul said.

Gul also expressed his sorrow about the citizens and policeman who lost their lives in the last ten days and hoped such incidents would never occur again.

Also responding to the question of his term in office ending, Gul said, "It is too early to discuss such issues. A democratic system can be parliamentarian or presidential, what is important is the checks and balances. The type of the sytem is something the majority would decide."