Gul arrives in Lisbon for official talks

President Abdullah Gul held a news conference at Ataturk Airport on Sunday prior to his departure for Portugal to pay a state visit to Portugal at the invitation of President Cavaco Silva. During the press conference, Gul said he would review the bilateral relations between the two countries in all areas as well as Turkey's negotiation process with the EU, the recent developments in the Mediterranean and other international matters. Reiterating the importance of Portugal's support for Turkey's accession to the EU, Gul noted that he would also share his views on this issue with the Portuguese officials. Following the press conference, Gul and his accompanying delegation departed for and arrived in Lisbon. Turkey's First Lady Hayrunnisa Gul, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Culture and Tourism Minister Omer Celik as well as a group of Turkish business people are accompanying Gul on his visit.