Gul: "The EU should see Turkey emerging as a source of inspiration for regional countries"

The European Union should recognize how Turkey has emerged as a source of inspiration in recent years, said President Abdullah Gul yesterday. Making closing remarks at a meeting of the Turkish-Slovenian Business Forum in Ljubljana, Gul said, "The EU should become aware of and appreciate how Turkey has recently emerged as a source of inspiration for surrounding countries." Thanking Slovenia for its enthusiastic support for Turkey's EU aspirations, Gul stressed that Turkey's admission would make important contributions to the Union. Gul also said Slovenia has achieved the greatest success among former Yugoslavian states and is a role model for its region. "Turkey's negotiations with the EU are continuing," he said. "Negotiations for big countries go differently, as with Spain and Britain. During our negotiations, we have faced undeserved, unseen, and indirect obstacles. Yet we also see Slovenia's support." In Ljubljana, Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa also visited a rehabilitation center at Slovenia University where Gazan children are receiving medical treatment. Slovenian President Danilo Turk and his wife Barbara Miklic accompanied the Guls during the visit. Gul thanked Turk for Slovenia giving treatment to the Gazan children, expressing hope that the suffering of the Gazan people will soon end.