Speech by H.E. Abdullah Gül, President of The Republic of Turkey, At The Dinner Hosted In Honor of H.E.Mary McAleese, President of Ireland And Mr. McAleese

"Your Excellency, Madame President,
Distinguished guests,
My wife and I are very pleased and honoured to host Your Excellency, your esteemed spouse and your delegation in Ankara on the occasion of the first official Presidential visit from Ireland to Turkey. This is indeed our special privilege.
I salute you, and in your person the Irish people, with whom the Turkish people enjoy friendly and brotherly relations.
The Turks and the Irish traditionally maintained a high regard for each other. We are indeed good friends, and today, we have every reason to work towards even better relations in all fields. There is no doubt that our countries will mutually benefit from a closer and more substantial relationship.
I would like to recall one example among the historical reasons which led to this shared outlook. It was in 1921 that the Dail (okunuşu: Doyl) contacted the Turkish Grand National Assembly, which was then still leading the Turkish national struggle from Ankara, in order to explain the Irish cause. Therefore, welcoming you here in Ankara, only a few miles from that very National Assembly, is a very special occasion for us indeed.
Almost nine decades later, aware of many possibilities, our two nations desire to take our relations even further.
Madame President,
Ireland's support for Turkey in the European Union fora is much appreciated. We regard our membership of the European Union as a natural right. The Turks started to populate Europe early in the fourteenth century, and since then, the bulk of our history has been written in Europe.
I am happy that I had a chance to explain to Your Excellency the continous work of Turkey to strengthen the conditions of peace, prosperity and stability in a very wide region. Each passing day, our historical links around this region are becoming more relevant. You would agree with me in that our endeavours in this respect are important for Europe also. In this globalized world, nothing stands still, and unfortunately, any destabilization travels across the world in a matter of hours. In such a world, Turkey's efforts are directed towards securing the necessary conditions where conflicts, frozen or not, will give way for lasting conditions of peace and stability. In this context, Turkey will continue to play a very important role in making Europe more secure and prosperous.
Madame President,
It is no coincidence that Ireland has offered many gifted writers and poets to world literature. As I have witnessed personally, it is your Emerald Island, the friendliness of the Irish people and your rich history that no doubt give inspiration to your artists.
The world-wide known Irish authors and poets, including the Nobel Laureates, are highly regarded in Turkey and their masterpieces are read by many Turks.
In addition to world literature, Ireland, has also offered many important personalities to international politics.
Madame President,
Çaakkale which you will visit tomorrow, has particular importance in our history. In Çanakkale, Turkish and Irish had known each other as brave soldiers. Tomorrow you will lay a plaque for the memory of the Irish soldiers who have lost their lives there during the First World War.
I was very pleased to learn that the photograph of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, was placed on the walls of Your Excellency's childhood home, among the Irish heros who have earned a special place in the hearts and minds of the Irish nation.
So, I welcome you again heartily, Madame President, in this country which you should indeed feel at home. We will continue to work for a better relationship, because our two people truly deserve it.
I would like to express my pleasure again to host Your Excellency and your esteemed spouse in Turkey. Let me now raise my glass to your health and happiness, to the prosperity and happiness of the Irish people and to the bright future of our friendship and cooperation.