We are making a new start, Erdoğan tells Turkish nation

Turkey has entered a new era with the shift to a presidential government system, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in his inauguration speech Monday.

Delivering his speech outside the presidential complex in Ankara, Erdoğan promised to take major economic steps, aim for advancements in all areas, including the defense industry, border security as well as expanding welfare state opportunities for all citizens.

"I will try to be worthy of the Turkish nation with the awareness that I am the president of 81 million Turks and not only of those who voted for me," Erdoğan said.

Underlining that each Turkish citizen's rights and freedoms are guaranteed irrespective of their religion, origin or region, Erdoğan said the periods when certain people and groups were discriminated and subjected to persecution have passed and such cases will never occur again.

Erdoğan said he will visit Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Tuesday in accordance with state tradition. He also said the new cabinet will convene Friday for the first time. He is expected to announce the members of the cabinet later Monday.

Turkey welcomes new era with Erdoğan

Erdoğan and his wife arrive for a ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on July 9, 2018.

Turkey welcomes new era with Erdoğan

Erdoğan, next to his wife Emine ErdoĞan, prays during a ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on July 9, 2018 (AA Photo)

(AA Photo)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, accompanied by his wife Emine Erdoğan, makes a speech during a ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey July 9, 2018.

Ali Erbaş, head of Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) congratulates Erdoğan.

Former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, 4th left, Hulusi Akar, center, Chief of the General Staff, and Abdullah Gül, Turkey's former President, center right, attend a ceremony for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 9, 2018. (AP Photo)

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic poses with Erdoğan.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir attends a ceremony for Erdoğan, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 9, 2018. (AP photo (AP Photo)

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attends a ceremony for President Erdoğan, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 9, 2018. (AP Photo)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama takes photograph as he attends a ceremony for Erdoğan, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 9, 2018. (AP Photo)

Turkish musician Orhan Gencebay and his wife Sevim Emre attend a ceremony for Erdoğan in Ankara. (AA Photo)

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, cente, poses for pictures with other attendees following a ceremony for Erdoğan, Monday, July 9, 2018.r (AP Photo)

A 1 lira commemorative coin minted for Erdoğan's swearing-in ceremony.

Turkey welcomes new era with Erdoğan

Turkey welcomes new era with Erdoğan

Turkish TV host Esra Erol attends the inauguration ceremony.

This hand out picture taken and released on July 9, 2018 by Turkish President Office shows President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan waving as he arrives at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to take oath of office in Ankara. (AFP Photo)

Guests dressed in traditional costumes pose for photos outside the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, in preparation for a ceremony for President Erdoğan, on Monday, July 9, 2018. (AP Photo)

Supporters of President Erdoğan, pose for photographs following a ceremony at the Presidential Complex July 9, 2018. (AP Photo)

Supporters line the streets with Turkish flags as some throw flowers to the car of President Erdoğan on his way the mausoleum of the nation's founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 9, 2018. (AP Photo)

Actors dressed in Ottoman-era warriors' attire stands outside the Presidential Complex decorated with a poster of modern Turkey founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in Ankara. (AP Photo)

Erdoğan walks out of his car decorated with flowers thrown by supporters on his way the mausoleum of the nation's founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in Ankara. (AP Photo)

Turkey welcomes new era with Erdoğan

Erdoğan, left, walks for a wreath-laying ceremony at mausoleum of the nation's founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in Ankara, (AP Photo)

Erdoğan walks following a wreath-laying ceremony at Anıtkabir in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 9, 2018. (AP Photo)

Hulusi Akar, centre, Turkey's Chief of the General Staff, accompanied by other military commanders applaud from the gallery after Erdoğan took the oath of office for his second term as president, at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, July 9, 2018 (AP Photo)

Erdoğan, 2nd right, arrives at the parliament to take the oath of office for his second term as president, in Ankara, July 9, 2018. (AP Photo)

During his speech, the president also announced that all celebrations during the presidential inauguration ceremony had been canceled due to Sunday's train accident in northwestern Tekirdağ province, which left 24 passengers dead and 124 others injured.

The presidents of Bulgaria, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan, Guinea, Zambia, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Somalia, Mauritania, Gabon, Chad, Djibouti, Venezuela and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as well as the Emir of Qatar attended the historic ceremony.

A total of 28 foreign dignitaries – including prime ministers, vice presidents, parliament speakers and ministers – also attended the ceremony. Secretary Generals of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and D-8, and the European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs were expected among the attendees.