President’s first official visit to Turkey

Ankara, 20.5.2009  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and his wife, Barbara Mikliè Türk, are on an official visit to the Republic of Turkey today and tomorrow. They are accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, including 45 representatives of Slovenian companies. On his arrival in Turkey, President Türk laid a wreath at the grave of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Turkish state, and signed the visitors’ book at the mausoleum. The Slovenian President was then received with military honours by his host the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül. After a short conversation between President Türk and his wife and President Gül and his wife Hayrünnisa Gül, the two presidents had a one-to-one meeting followed by plenary talks between the delegations of the two countries, headed by the two presidents.

President Türk said that Slovenia respects Turkey for its economic achievements, legal reforms and democratisation, as well as for its international role. He stressed that Slovenia supports the Turkish candidacy for European Union membership and expressed this actively during its presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2008. He explained that the European Union as a whole would benefit greatly from Turkey’s membership, not only in economic terms, but also from its strategic position and diplomatic and political role in the world. President Gül thanked Slovenia for its support to Turkey. He also drew attention to the international contribution made by Slovenia, which is currently chairing the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and commended Slovenia on its EU Council presidency.

The two presidents agreed that bilateral relations are excellent, both in the area of regular political consultations and the area of economic co-operation, which is developing successfully. They agreed that trade in goods is good, but there is still potential for improving co-operation in the area of investments, trade in services, and tourism and logistics, highlighting in particular the importance of connections between the ports and railway network. There is great interest in strengthening business co-operation between Slovenia and Turkey, which is also demonstrated by the sizeable delegation of Slovenian businessmen that will attend, together with representatives of Turkish business, tomorrow’s Turkish-Slovenian Business Forum in Istanbul.

President Türk and President Gül also talked about the role of Turkey as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Dr Türk praised the sophisticated, creative and constructive contribution of Turkey to ensuring international peace and stability. Slovenia and Turkey enjoy good co-operation within the Alliance of Civilisations initiative, introduced by Turkey and Spain and launched under United Nations auspices in 2004. President Türk recalled that a co-operation agreement with the Alliance of Civilisations was signed by the Portoro¾-based Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI), which can become an important meeting point for scientists, students and others who wish to participate in trans-Mediterranean dialogue in different areas, ranging from technical sciences to cultural and spiritual discussions. President Gül presented Turkish views on the situation in the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia, where Turkey is actively engaged. He also informed his Slovenian counterpart of Turkish views on the current endeavours to resolve the Cyprus issue.

Later in his visit, President Türk met State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, who co-ordinates the work of economic departments within the Turkish government and has visited Slovenia on several occasions. They agreed that more intense economic co-operation and increased investment is needed, that transport links must be strengthened and trade in services, including financial services, intensified. At the request of Dr Türk, Mr Babacan presented in more detail Turkish views on the construction of oil and gas connections between the countries of the Middle East and Central Asian, and the countries of Europe. After the talks, Mr Babacan met the members of the Slovenian business delegation; they held a thorough discussion on ways to enhance economic co-operation between Slovenia and Turkey.

President Türk also received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Dr Ahmet Davutoğlu. Their talks focused mainly on Turkey's accession to the European Union, the situation in the Western Balkans and the international activities of the Republic of Turkey.