Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Full membership of Turkey to EU has no alternative, Turkish President Abdullah Gul stated in the course if his visit to Slovakia.
President Gul got golden medal from the Comenius University – the most authoritative in Bratislava.
In his speech to teaching staff and students President Gul made a point of Turkish foreign policy and Turkey-EU relations.
Turkey initiated the creation of Caucasian Security Platform for the establishment of peace and stability in Caucasus, Gul outlined, adding that the work towards Armenia-Turkey normalization is underway.
Turkish President also noted Turkey has deep historic ties with Afghanistan and Pakistan and offered to launch a trilateral congress to restore confidence between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Referring to Turkey’s membership to EU, Gul said Turkey turned to the West and talks on its EU membership will resolutely continue.
Europe should not forget Turkey’s support to EU, Gul underlined adding the EU joining process will be rather difficult for great countries. However, Turkey will progress negotiations in this framework.
Turkey's foreign policy is designed to bring peace, stability and welfare to the surrounding region, Gul said.
The world was the scene of important changes recently. Due to its (geographical) status, Turkey got affected more than any other country by newly emerged risks, Gul said.
As NATO assumed wider missions, Turkey's role in regions of problems grew, Gul stressed.
Turkey, firstly, tried to solve its problems with neighbors in the Balkans. Later, Turkey established good relations with its southern neighbors. Russia became an important commercial partner of Turkey, Gul said.
Most recently, Turkey proposed the establishment of the Caucasus Cooperation Platform for peace and stability in the Caucasus region. Turkey has made efforts to normalize relations with Armenia, Gul said.
Turkey has deep historical relations with both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The problems in the region are as important as those in the Middle East and have a potential to (negatively) affect global stability. Turkey began the trilateral summit meetings to establish security between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Gul noted.
Turkey is a bridge between the east and the west. Thanks to our unique position, we can understand the mentality in different regions, Gul said.
Touching on Turkey's EU process, Gul said that Turkey has had relations with Europe for over 1,000 years.
Turkey has turned its face towards the West and continues EU membership negotiations with determination. The negotiations have two sides. While Turkey is doing all it can, the EU lags behind Turkey with its performance, Gul said.
Turkey's contributions to the EU should not be forgotten. There is no other alternative than full membership for Turkey, Gul said.
Turkey will make the EU cake bigger. The membership process of big countries has always been difficult and we are aware of this as we conduct entry negotiations, Gul said.
I am very pleased to be here at the Comenius University. I am happy to see efforts being made to open a Turkish Language Department at this university. Turkey will extend support to Comenius University for this purpose, Gul also said.
Rector of Comenius University Frantisek Gaher said that Turkey's crucial role for global peace lies in the words of late Ataturk who had emphasized "Peace at Home, Peace in the World" principle.
Turkey is a bridge between the east and the west and different worlds. Turkey sends strong messages in this respect. Being a bridge implies being in a sensitive position, Gaher stressed.
President Gul has worked for peace both as a president and former foreign minister. As such, we have decided to decorate him with our university's golden medal, Gaher said.
Meanwhile, President Gul had a working breakfast with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and later met with the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Pavol Paska. Gul's meetings with Fico and Paska were closed to the press corps.
