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PRESIDENT GUL IN SWITZERLAND TO HOLD TALKS, STRENGTHEN BILATERAL TIES
Today's Zaman
Nov 26 2010
Turkey
President Abdullah Gul has said he believes his first
presidential-level visit to Switzerland will fortify bilateral ties
between the two countries.
Gul told reporters in Ankara ahead of his departure to Switzerland
on Thursday morning that then-Swiss President Pascal Couchepin's
visit to Turkey in 2008 was the first time that a Swiss president
had visited Turkey. Noting that his visit will also be the first
presidential-level visit to Bern, Gul said bilateral ties between
the two countries have accelerated in recent years and the role of
mutual visits is important in this.
Interior Minister BeÅ~_ir Atalay, Environment Minister Veysel Eroglu
and some deputies are accompanying Gul on his two-day visit.
Gul was also expected to meet with Erika Forster-Vannini, the head
of the Swiss Council of States, to discuss bilateral relations,
cooperation in international organizations and other regional and
international affairs that concern both Turkey and Switzerland.
Switzerland has previously facilitated Turkish-Armenian reconciliation
talks aimed at normalization between the two estranged neighbors, which
was concluded by the signing of twin protocols on the normalization
of relations and the establishment of diplomatic ties between Turkey
and Armenia. But the process has currently stalled, and Switzerland
has recently called on both sides to rescue the process.
Gul will also address the Swiss National Assembly and will participate
in a high-level business meeting where officials and businessmen
will discuss economic cooperation opportunities between Turkey and
Switzerland.
Gul said he will attend the opening ceremony of the Cleantech Forum,
which features "technologies friendly with the environment," with
Swiss President Doris Leuthard.
President Gul said the Turkish and Swiss economies are complementary
and there are cooperative opportunities for the two nations. "We could
provide peace, stability and prosperity to a large region through
joint works regarding our shared values and interests," Gul said.
Saying that he attaches special importance in meeting with Turkish
communities in the countries he visits, Gul said he will also meet
with the Turkish community, numbering nearly 120,000, in Zurich.
The Turkish president also added that he believes his visit will
further advance and strengthen cooperation the two countries shoulder
both at a bilateral level and multilateral level in various platforms.
President Leuthard welcomed Gul and his wife at the Zurich airport
with a ceremony, and both presidents then proceeded to the capital
Bern by train, where they had lunch together.
Gul's office said on Wednesday through a written statement that
relations between Switzerland and Turkey have picked up momentum in
recent years and there is a strong will and determination on both
sides to further mature relations and cooperation between the two
countries in the upcoming term.
From: A. Papazian
Today's Zaman
Nov 26 2010
Turkey
President Abdullah Gul has said he believes his first
presidential-level visit to Switzerland will fortify bilateral ties
between the two countries.
Gul told reporters in Ankara ahead of his departure to Switzerland
on Thursday morning that then-Swiss President Pascal Couchepin's
visit to Turkey in 2008 was the first time that a Swiss president
had visited Turkey. Noting that his visit will also be the first
presidential-level visit to Bern, Gul said bilateral ties between
the two countries have accelerated in recent years and the role of
mutual visits is important in this.
Interior Minister BeÅ~_ir Atalay, Environment Minister Veysel Eroglu
and some deputies are accompanying Gul on his two-day visit.
Gul was also expected to meet with Erika Forster-Vannini, the head
of the Swiss Council of States, to discuss bilateral relations,
cooperation in international organizations and other regional and
international affairs that concern both Turkey and Switzerland.
Switzerland has previously facilitated Turkish-Armenian reconciliation
talks aimed at normalization between the two estranged neighbors, which
was concluded by the signing of twin protocols on the normalization
of relations and the establishment of diplomatic ties between Turkey
and Armenia. But the process has currently stalled, and Switzerland
has recently called on both sides to rescue the process.
Gul will also address the Swiss National Assembly and will participate
in a high-level business meeting where officials and businessmen
will discuss economic cooperation opportunities between Turkey and
Switzerland.
Gul said he will attend the opening ceremony of the Cleantech Forum,
which features "technologies friendly with the environment," with
Swiss President Doris Leuthard.
President Gul said the Turkish and Swiss economies are complementary
and there are cooperative opportunities for the two nations. "We could
provide peace, stability and prosperity to a large region through
joint works regarding our shared values and interests," Gul said.
Saying that he attaches special importance in meeting with Turkish
communities in the countries he visits, Gul said he will also meet
with the Turkish community, numbering nearly 120,000, in Zurich.
The Turkish president also added that he believes his visit will
further advance and strengthen cooperation the two countries shoulder
both at a bilateral level and multilateral level in various platforms.
President Leuthard welcomed Gul and his wife at the Zurich airport
with a ceremony, and both presidents then proceeded to the capital
Bern by train, where they had lunch together.
Gul's office said on Wednesday through a written statement that
relations between Switzerland and Turkey have picked up momentum in
recent years and there is a strong will and determination on both
sides to further mature relations and cooperation between the two
countries in the upcoming term.
From: A. Papazian