Gul urges unified, vigorous response to taksim terrorist attack

All of us must speak out robustly against terrorism, especially now, said President Abdullah Gul yesterday, one day after a suicide bombing in Istanbul's central Taksim Square injured 17 civilians and 15 police officers. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Turkish Cypriot Ambassador to Ankara Mustafa Lakadamyali, Gul said everyone must set aside differences of opinion and respond strongly to terrorism. Gul also met with his Turkish counterpart Dervis Eroglu to discuss recent developments in Cyprus peace talks. In related news, Gul is set to receive a prestigious annual award given by the UK's Chatham House to statesmen who have made significant contributions to the development of international relations. Gul was selected as the 2010 recipient of the Chatham House Prize for his unwavering support to Turkey's recent reform efforts towards European Union membership, his contributions to developing Turkey's relations with neighboring countries, and his role in initiating a process of normalization between Turkey and Armenia. Gul is expected to receive the prize from Queen Elizabeth at a ceremony in London.