President of the Republic at the Turkish-Slovenian business forum
Istanbul, 21.5.2009 | press release
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attended the Turkish-Slovenian business forum on the second day of his official visit to the Republic of Turkey. The President stressed that Istanbul has an ancient tradition and also a rich future as a trade, banking and business centre of the 21st century.
He highlighted the good relations between Slovenia and Turkey and drew attention to Turkey’s support of Slovenia's candidacy for United Nations membership and in relation with NATO, and Slovenia’s support for Turkey's candidacy for European Union membership. He emphasised that the customs union between Turkey and the European Union is not sufficient to develop the complete spectrum of economic relationships that are necessary for Turkey and Europe in the globalised world.
According to President Türk, we should understand that present development is related to high technology, highly developed services and culture; therefore, we must also promote mutual cultural communication. To this end, Slovenia has established the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) on the Slovenian coast, linking researchers, professors and students from across the Mediterranean area with a view of becoming a centre not only for practical studies but also for cultural dialogue between the European Union and its neighbours.
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"If we wish today's co-operation to be long-term co-operation, we must be ambitious and develop the correct content," said President Türk, adding that this is even more important during a time of global financial and economic crisis. Among the areas of interest in increasing economic co-operation between Slovenia and Turkey, Dr Türk mentioned building and construction, kitchen appliance production, electrical technology and others. President Türk highlighted the importance of thinking more ambitiously of opportunities beyond trade in goods, in the areas of investment and exchange of services, including tourism. Dr Türk also noted the importance of the strategic location of Slovenia and particularly of the port of Koper.
President Türk also visited the renowned Boğaziçi (Bosphorus) University, where he gave a lecture entitled "Multilateralism in an Era of Uncertainty: The Role of the Institutions in the System of the United Nations".