“Turkey regards the EU as a peace and democracy project”
28.04.2014
Holding a joint press conference with President Gauck of Germany at the Çankaya Presidential Palace, President Gül pointed out that Germany lends its support to Turkey in its negotiation process with the EU, adding: “The highest standards and rules in such common values as democracy, human rights, the rule of law and free market economy are the values of the EU.”
President Abdullah Gül held a joint press conference with President Joachim Gauck of the Federal Republic of Germany, who is paying a state visit to Turkey.
EXCEPTIONAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GERMANY
Beginning his speech by expressing his pleasure at welcoming President Gauck and his delegation to Turkey, President Gül declared Turkish-German relations to be exceptional and informed the press that his German counterpart, before coming to Ankara, visited the Syrian refugees in the city of Kahramanmaraş, where he also examined the patriot missiles and visited the German soldiers. “I hereby would like to extend my thanks to President Gauck for Germany’s support for Turkey as an indication of our alliance and friendship and for sending their patriot defense missiles and their soldiers to Turkey.”
The President also informed his audience that during the tete-a-tete they had and the talks between their delegations, they discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries in all areas including the EU. Germany, he said, is one of the locomotives of the club and added that Germany is among the countries that lend their support to Turkey in its negotiation process with the EU.
CONCLUDING NEGOTIATION PROCESS SUCCESSFULLY AND PACTA SUNT SERVANDA
Reiterating that Turkey regards the EU as a peace and democracy project, President Gül continued as follows: “The highest standards and rules in such common values as democracy, human rights, the rule of law and free market economy are the values of the EU. These are also our common values. We attach utmost importance to such notions as rights, the law, rules and transparency, as these are all parts of our belief. We wish to successfully conclude our negotiation process with the EU within the framework of the principle of pacta sunt servanda.”
The President further laid emphasis on the crucial role which the approximately 3 million Turkish expatriates in Germany play in terms of the ties between the two countries. He noted that today, many German citizens of Turkish origin actively participate in the German political, cultural and business life, pointing to Aydan Özoğuz, who serves as Minister in the German government.
Sharing his happiness with the steps taken toward dual citizenship, the President said he had also expressed his pleasure at his German counterpart meeting with the families of the Turkish citizens killed by extreme rightists in Germany and with his statements about the sad event.
VOLUME OF TRADE WORTH 40 BILLION DOLLARS
President Gül, referring to the volume of trade between the two countries which is worth 40 billion dollars, noted that there are 5.000 German firms in Turkey and their investments there are worth 7 billion dollars. He further said that the close cooperation they enjoy in education, science and technology and culture wşll continue, pointing to the Turkish-German University, which he said he and his German counterpart will open tomorrow.
PRESIDENT GAUCK LAUDS TURKEY’S ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT
As for President Gauck, he reiterated that he had visited the camp where Syrian refugees are staying in Kahramanmaraş and said he was very much impressed with the solidarity between the Turkish people and these refugees.
Recalling that the NATO troops are deployed in that city as an indication of the solidarity they enjoy, President Gauck noted that the German soldiers had told him that they are appreciated in Kahramanmaraş. The German President further lauded Turkey for its economic success and added that he observed during his visit to Kahramanmaraş huge infrastructural projects.
The perception by Turkey that Europe is not acting friendly enough toward it from time to time is temporary, reiterated President Gauck and he further emphasized that there is not better model for Turkey than the European democracies, adding that he sees the future of Turkey in a more intense cooperation with Europe.
