Dutch politician Linden decorated with Turkish order of republic medal

Rene van der Linden, former president of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), was received by President Abdullah Gul yesterday at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.  Gul decorated Linden with the Order of the Republic Medal of Turkey for his contributions to bilateral relations between Turkey and the Netherlands. Speaking at the ceremony, Gul said that Linden showed that he had been a real friend to Turkey throughout his long international political and diplomatic carrier. "Turkey has always been a part of my life," said Linden and thanked Turkish government for this privilege.