Gul receives Swiss President Couchepin

President Abdullah Gul yesterday met with his Swiss counterpart Pascal Couchepin, who is on an official visit to Turkey. Afterwards, Couchepin told a joint press conference that the Treaty of Lausanne has retained its importance and validity since it was signed in 1923 through the present day. Praising the pact, he added that it was through Lausanne that the boundaries of modern Turkey were recognized. Asked about the so-called Armenian genocide claims, Couchepin said that judging them is the job of historians. Pointing to measures taken against the terrorist PKK in Switzerland, he said they had blocked attempts by the PKK to raise funds. He also characterized groups targeting Turks living in Switzerland as "dangerous." For his part, Gul said that Turkey is determined to boost ties between the two countries. Afterwards, Gul hosted a dinner in Couchepin's honor