Address by H.E. Abdullah Gül, President of the Republic Turkey, on the Occasion of the Official Dinner Hosted in His Honor by H.E. Danilo Turk, President of the Republic of Slovenia
14.07.2010
"Mr. President, My Dear Friend Danilo,
Dear Madame,
Distinguished Guests,
I am very pleased to pay this official visit to Slovenia after having had the pleasure of hosting your Excellency in Turkey three times in a period of just over one year. These frequent visits are a testament to the high level attained in the relations between our two countries.
I am confident that my visit will further contribute to our already excellent relations as friends and allies and strengthen our close dialog and cooperation in the future, first and foremost with regard to the European Union, but also in other international fora.
We follow with great appreciation the extraordinary development by Slovenia in all areas since gaining independence in 1991.
The dynamic and rapid transformation achieved by Slovenia as a member of the EU, NATO and, more recently, the OECD, constitutes an example for other regional countries.
In recent years, your beautiful country has also undertaken significant responsibilities internationally. In fact, Slovenia’s success in presiding over the EU, the OSCE and the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers is well appreciated.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Guests,
Turkey and Slovenia are two countries sharing comparative advantages emanating from a common history and culture in the Balkans. It is important for the security and stability of the Balkans for us to make use of these characteristics jointly.
In this framework, we welcomed your participation in the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit in İstanbul last month and your membership in the SEECP.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your valuable contributions to the Alliance of Civilizations Forum in İstanbul in April prior to your official visit in May 2009.
I am of the opinion that your Excellency’s long standing experience at the United Nations and your personal efforts are of great value in trying to realize respect and a common understanding between cultures.
I was very pleased to have an opportunity during our meetings today to discuss additional steps we may take to further develop our relations and consult on how we can jointly contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in our region.
In addition to sharing a common geography, our strong adherence to pluralist democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and freedom of thought and expression, equality between men and women, transparency, accountability and free market economy join our countries around common values.
In this context, it is of utmost importance to extend European and Euro-Atlantic structures to all Balkan countries.
The stability and prosperity that can be achieved by ensuring the enlargement of the EU and NATO to include all of the Balkans are, no doubt, of benefit to the whole European family.
Mr. President, Mr Dear Friend Danilo,
We appreciate the support given by our friend and ally Slovenia to our EU accession process. I am fully convinced that the valuable support guided by your Excellency will continue to grow stronger.
EU accession is a strategic target for Turkey. It is impossible for us to accept any alternative to full accession.
EU’s current approach to Turkey casts a shadow over its own image. Since the international community needs a stronger EU with respect to global issues, there can be no doubt that Turkey can make the most important contribution in that regard to the EU.
Distinguished Guests,
We are very pleased to witness the further development of the existing sincere friendship between Turkey and Slovenia in a wide range of areas politically, economically, commercially, socially and culturally including tourism.
More specifically, there is a significant development in our economic and commercial relations. In line with this development, I am aware that the distinguished representatives of the Turkish business community who are accompanying me on this visit will continue to foster contacts today and tomorrow with their Slovenian counterparts.
However, we must also grow our mutual investments in parallel with our growing trade. The compliamentary nature of the comparative advantages of Turkish and Slovenian companies in the Balkans clearly indicates that there are many sectors where our two countries can join forces.
Moreover, joint initiatives would be of benefit not only to Turkish and Slovenian society, but also to our neighbors in the Balkans.
On the other hand, the Euro-Mediterranean University EMUNI established in your country is an important link in our scientific and cultural relations with Slovenia.
Developing relations between our countries has had a positive impact on our cultural relations as well.
I was very pleased to learn that there is growing interest in Turkish art and artists, literature, cinema and music in Slovenia. I am also aware that Turkish artists and works of art take part in important artistic events in your country.
Dear Madame,
Distinguished Guests,
I am very pleased to pay this official visit to Slovenia after having had the pleasure of hosting your Excellency in Turkey three times in a period of just over one year. These frequent visits are a testament to the high level attained in the relations between our two countries.
I am confident that my visit will further contribute to our already excellent relations as friends and allies and strengthen our close dialog and cooperation in the future, first and foremost with regard to the European Union, but also in other international fora.
We follow with great appreciation the extraordinary development by Slovenia in all areas since gaining independence in 1991.
The dynamic and rapid transformation achieved by Slovenia as a member of the EU, NATO and, more recently, the OECD, constitutes an example for other regional countries.
In recent years, your beautiful country has also undertaken significant responsibilities internationally. In fact, Slovenia’s success in presiding over the EU, the OSCE and the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers is well appreciated.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Guests,
Turkey and Slovenia are two countries sharing comparative advantages emanating from a common history and culture in the Balkans. It is important for the security and stability of the Balkans for us to make use of these characteristics jointly.
In this framework, we welcomed your participation in the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit in İstanbul last month and your membership in the SEECP.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your valuable contributions to the Alliance of Civilizations Forum in İstanbul in April prior to your official visit in May 2009.
I am of the opinion that your Excellency’s long standing experience at the United Nations and your personal efforts are of great value in trying to realize respect and a common understanding between cultures.
I was very pleased to have an opportunity during our meetings today to discuss additional steps we may take to further develop our relations and consult on how we can jointly contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in our region.
In addition to sharing a common geography, our strong adherence to pluralist democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and freedom of thought and expression, equality between men and women, transparency, accountability and free market economy join our countries around common values.
In this context, it is of utmost importance to extend European and Euro-Atlantic structures to all Balkan countries.
The stability and prosperity that can be achieved by ensuring the enlargement of the EU and NATO to include all of the Balkans are, no doubt, of benefit to the whole European family.
Mr. President, Mr Dear Friend Danilo,
We appreciate the support given by our friend and ally Slovenia to our EU accession process. I am fully convinced that the valuable support guided by your Excellency will continue to grow stronger.
EU accession is a strategic target for Turkey. It is impossible for us to accept any alternative to full accession.
EU’s current approach to Turkey casts a shadow over its own image. Since the international community needs a stronger EU with respect to global issues, there can be no doubt that Turkey can make the most important contribution in that regard to the EU.
Distinguished Guests,
We are very pleased to witness the further development of the existing sincere friendship between Turkey and Slovenia in a wide range of areas politically, economically, commercially, socially and culturally including tourism.
More specifically, there is a significant development in our economic and commercial relations. In line with this development, I am aware that the distinguished representatives of the Turkish business community who are accompanying me on this visit will continue to foster contacts today and tomorrow with their Slovenian counterparts.
However, we must also grow our mutual investments in parallel with our growing trade. The compliamentary nature of the comparative advantages of Turkish and Slovenian companies in the Balkans clearly indicates that there are many sectors where our two countries can join forces.
Moreover, joint initiatives would be of benefit not only to Turkish and Slovenian society, but also to our neighbors in the Balkans.
On the other hand, the Euro-Mediterranean University EMUNI established in your country is an important link in our scientific and cultural relations with Slovenia.
Developing relations between our countries has had a positive impact on our cultural relations as well.
I was very pleased to learn that there is growing interest in Turkish art and artists, literature, cinema and music in Slovenia. I am also aware that Turkish artists and works of art take part in important artistic events in your country.
In short, the strong ties that constitute the basis of our bilateral relations translate into a common understanding between our countries on multilateral issues.
Mr. President, My Dear Friend Danilo,
Dear Madame,
Distinguished Guests,
With these thoughts, I would like to express my thanks for the warm hospitality shown to me, my wife and my delegation and raise my glass to the health and happiness of your Excellency and the First Lady, and to the well-being and prosperity of the people of Slovenia, and to the bright future that awaits our friendship, cooperation and alliance."
