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Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Nov 25 2010
Turkish, Swiss presidents discuss Caucasus, trade, multiculturalism
Bern, 25 November 2010: Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that
Turkey and Switzerland had a great cooperation in political issues and
the two countries should boost economic cooperation.
Gul and Doris Leuthard, President of Swiss Confederation, held a joint
press conference in Swiss capital of Bern on Thursday [25 November].
Gul said that there were several cooperation opportunities in several
areas such as energy, stating that Leuthard and he held fruitful talks
on these matters.
Replying to a question on Caucasus, Gul said that there were some
problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as between Turkey and
Armenia.
"A part of territories of Azerbaijan is under occupation and some
unexpected problems may also appear. Everyone should work for
solution," he said.
Gul said Turkey attached a great importance to normalization of its
relations with Armenia.
"The current situation in Caucasus is not to the interests of Eurasia,
Europe and Asia. Because these problems are like a wall between Europe
and Asia. If these problems are removed, there will be more
cooperation in several areas such as energy," he said.
Replying to a question, Leuthard said that Switzerland was open to
multiculturalism, but there were some rules that should be obeyed by
everyone.
Regarding the ban on the construction of minarets, the prayer towers
of mosques, in Switzerland, Leuthard said that it was a construction
ban and it did not prevent anyone from worshipping in mosques. It was
a referendum and it should be respected, she said.
Gul said that different cultures and languages were living together in
Switzerland and everyone could pray in a way that he/she wanted. Gul
added but there was no need to be afraid of minarets.
Leuthard said that many countries suffered from global economic
crisis, stating that Turkey and Switzerland weathered economic crisis
successfully.
Turkey was an important partner of Switzerland and 250,000 Swiss
tourists visited Turkey annually, she said.
From: A. Papazian
Nov 25 2010
Turkish, Swiss presidents discuss Caucasus, trade, multiculturalism
Bern, 25 November 2010: Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that
Turkey and Switzerland had a great cooperation in political issues and
the two countries should boost economic cooperation.
Gul and Doris Leuthard, President of Swiss Confederation, held a joint
press conference in Swiss capital of Bern on Thursday [25 November].
Gul said that there were several cooperation opportunities in several
areas such as energy, stating that Leuthard and he held fruitful talks
on these matters.
Replying to a question on Caucasus, Gul said that there were some
problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as between Turkey and
Armenia.
"A part of territories of Azerbaijan is under occupation and some
unexpected problems may also appear. Everyone should work for
solution," he said.
Gul said Turkey attached a great importance to normalization of its
relations with Armenia.
"The current situation in Caucasus is not to the interests of Eurasia,
Europe and Asia. Because these problems are like a wall between Europe
and Asia. If these problems are removed, there will be more
cooperation in several areas such as energy," he said.
Replying to a question, Leuthard said that Switzerland was open to
multiculturalism, but there were some rules that should be obeyed by
everyone.
Regarding the ban on the construction of minarets, the prayer towers
of mosques, in Switzerland, Leuthard said that it was a construction
ban and it did not prevent anyone from worshipping in mosques. It was
a referendum and it should be respected, she said.
Gul said that different cultures and languages were living together in
Switzerland and everyone could pray in a way that he/she wanted. Gul
added but there was no need to be afraid of minarets.
Leuthard said that many countries suffered from global economic
crisis, stating that Turkey and Switzerland weathered economic crisis
successfully.
Turkey was an important partner of Switzerland and 250,000 Swiss
tourists visited Turkey annually, she said.
From: A. Papazian