The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social State governed by the rule of law. The Turkish State, with its territory and nation, is an indivisible entity. The official language of the Turkish State is Turkish and its capital is Ankara.

Sovereignty is vested in the nation without reservation or condition and the nation exercises its sovereignty through the authorized organs as prescribed by the principles laid down in the Constitution. The right to exercise sovereignty cannot be delegated to any individual, group or class. Everyone possesses inherent fundamental rights and freedoms which are inviolable and inalienable.

The fundamental aims and duties of the State are to safeguard the independence and the integrity of the Turkish Nation, the Republic and democracy; to ensure the welfare, peace and happiness of the individual and society; to strive for the removal of political, social and economic obstacles which restrict the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual in a manner incompatible with the principles of justice and of the social State governed by the rule of law; and to provide the conditions required for the development of the individual's material and spiritual existence.