Children from across the world met leading Turkish politicians on Wednesday ahead of the country's National Sovereignty and Children's Day on Saturday.
Every year children are invited to celebrate April 23, which marks the foundation of modern Turkey's parliament. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first parliamentary speaker, dedicated the day to children to emphasize their role in Turkey's future.
Children from 21 countries, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iraq and Serbia, were welcomed by Parliamentary Speaker Ismail Kahraman at the Grand National Assembly and by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at a reception at Çankaya Palace.
They will attend an annual festival organized by broadcaster TRT on Saturday.
"We are all children of Adam and Eve, that's why we are all brothers and sisters," Kahraman said.
"Even if the colors of our skin, our races and the countries we live in may be different, we are all children of the same parents… When you look at it this way, racism and tribalism are wrong."
The prime minister added: "Today, Çankaya Palace is going through its happiest day. The most beautiful hearts of the world are here. Our children that will build the world's future best are here."
