Germany Exclusive-2

President Gül, paying an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany upon the invitation of President Christian Wulff, enjoyed the warm hospitality by the German First Couple and the Turkish community as well as the German citizens during his programs he conducted along with First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül in Berlin, Osnabrück and Stuttgart. The friendship not only between the First Ladies but also between the Presidents of Turkey and Germany, two countries that have never been at war with each other throughout history, was witnessed during President Gül’s official visit to this country.

On the third day of their visit to Germany, the First Couple along with their German counterparts proceeded to the city of Osnabrück, President Wulff’s homeland.

The Presidents and the First Ladies, upon their arrival at the square the Municipality of Osnabrück is located in, proceeded to the crowd holding both countries’ flags and showing great excitement for them.

President Gül extended his thanks to the people of Osnabrück for their great enthusiasm, saying: “It is great to observe the people of Osnabrück, including German citizens, immigrants and those of Turkish descent living in harmony and who displayed their enthusiasm with great intimacy to us. Let me congratulate you on creating such a great atmosphere here.”

The two President and the First Ladies afterwards signed the guest book and explored the place where the Treaty of Westphalia was signed in 1648.

They also visited both St. Marien Protestant Church and Osnabrück Cathedral. On their way to the cathedral, they enjoyed great enthusiasm from the people of Osnabrück.

GÜL’S VISIT TO GERMAN ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION

The Presidents and their spouses, after the lunch they had together, visited the German Environmental Foundation (DBU).

After the presentation made in both languages by young Turkish and German scientists who also had a photo taken with both Presidents and signed the document demonstrating that they have taken the projects stated above under their aegis, two technological projects conducted by German scientists were presented to the First Couples.

OSNABRÜCK UNIVERSITY’S INSTITUTE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES

Presidents Abdullah Gül and Christian Wulff, as the last leg of their program in the city of Osnabrück, paid a visit to the Institute for Islamic Studies within the body of Osnabrück University. The President lauded Germany for its objective studies in Islam and theology in general and pointed to the responsibilities that the Institute for Islamic Studies should assume in terms of training personnel that will teach people about Islam.

Referring to the universal importance of the freedom of religion, President Gül averred his thought that Muslim people in Germany should be provided the opportunities so that they can learn about Islam and they can teach their children about it as well; otherwise, he warned, they could learn about it in the wrong way and fall into the hands of unwanted tendencies.