Erdogan vows to maintain national security, peace and achieve goals in election manifesto

ISTANBUL, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged on Sunday that his party will struggle to maintain national security and peace, and reach its goals under the new executive presidency to be adopted following the election in June.

"We want these for all our friends and brothers," the president said as he unveiled the ruling Justice and Development Party's election manifesto at a mass rally in Istanbul.

Erdogan said that his party will take sides with democracy, freedom and free exercise of rights and make the country an important global power and a leading force.

He also noted that his country will continue its bid for European Union membership, saying that "Turkey has never given up on the EU membership process, although the bloc is not decisive and eager as Turkey."

Turkey will cooperate with each of its interlocutors in the international arena and pursue new cooperation, the president said.

On economy, Erdogan promised to bring down interest rates, inflation and current account deficit in the upcoming period while promoting a rapid growth in the defense sector.

Erdogan called last month snap presidential and parliamentary elections on June 24, instead of in November 2019 as originally scheduled, saying Turkey must shift quickly to an executive presidency.

In April 2017, Turks voted by a slim majority for a switch from the parliamentary system to a powerful presidency.

In the presidential race, Erdogan will be backed by the Nationalist Movement Party and the Grand Unity Party, which have formed an alliance with the ruling party. Enditem