Gul: "Turkey will resolutely pursue its full EU membership"

At the invitation of his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, President Abdullah Gul yesterday left for Paris to attend the official inauguration of Turkish Season in France. Speaking to reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk airport, Gul said that his talks with Sarkozy would focus on further improving ties between Turkey and France, as well as exchanging views on regional and global matters. Asked about French opposition to Turkey's European Union accession bid, Gul said, "As a country continuing to hold accession negotiations with the EU, Turkey will determinedly follow its path towards full membership regardless of any opposition, no matter wherever it comes from." Turkey will do its part during this process to become a country with the same standards as other EU countries, Gul added. Asked about an World Cup qualifying match between the Turkish and Armenian national soccer teams set to be played in Bursa next Wednesday, Gul said, "I went to Yerevan (a year ago) for an away game of the Turkish national team without proposing any preconditions. I hope my Armenian counterpart will do the same. We will welcome him in Turkey as he did in Yerevan, and we will show Turkish hospitality to him." Gul was greeted in Paris with the Eiffel Tower illuminated in red and white, the colors of the Turkish flag, in honor of his visit. Turkish Season in France is a nine-month project promoting Turkish culture through various activities which began in June and continues through next March. Gul will participate in several festivities in Paris as part of the season. Gul and Sarkozy are scheduled to inaugurate an exhibit today at the Grand Palais called "From Byzantium to Istanbul: Istanbul Through the Centuries." In an interview with French daily Le Figaro ahead of his visit, Gul was asked what he would tell Sarkozy about his opposition to Turkey's EU membership. "It is natural for countries to have different views on certain issues," said Gul. "However, it should not be forgotten that our relations are deeply rooted and are based on common interests. I can't see any conflict of interest between us." Gul also stressed the strong commercial ties between France and Turkey. Also today, Gul is scheduled to pay a visit to UNESCO headquarters in Paris to address its ministers' forum at its biennial General Conference. Gul will speak with outgoing UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura of Japan.