ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday vowed a "new era" of reconciliation in Turkey after winning a "historic" victory in presidential elections.
Supporters of Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan celebrate his victory in the presidential election vote in front of the AKP party headquarters in Ankara on August 10, 2014
"Today we are closing an era and taking the first step for a new era," Erdogan said in a victory speech from the balcony of his party headquarters in Ankara.
He promised a "new social reconciliation process" where all Turks of whatever origin or belief would be equal citizens of the country.
"I thank each and every citizen, whether they voted for me or not, who contributed to the writing of history on such a historic day," he added, saying the "debates of the past" would now be left behind.
"Today is a new day. Today is a milestone. Today is the day when a new Turkey is rising from the ashes."
The balcony of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in Ankara is where Erdogan has traditionally given victory speeches.
He was joined by top party officials as well as his wife Emine and the president of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev.
Erdogan: "It is not only Recep Tayyip Erdogan who won today. Today, national will has won once again. Today, democracy has won once again.
"We may have different political views, different lifestyles, sects, values, ethnic roots... but we are all sons of this country... each of us are the owner of this state."