Gul visits Brussels

President Abdullah Gul yesterday met with European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels. Afterwards, Barroso told a joint press conference that Turkey should take steps to strengthen fundamental rights and freedoms. Touching on a recent tax evasion fine on the Dogan Media Group, Barroso said, "We place great importance on showing respect for freedom of the press." For his part, Gul said that he and Barroso had discussed both Turkish-EU relations and current global issues. Stating that Turkey's EU membership accession is continuing in earnest, Gul said, "This isn't an easy process." He added, "It's a long process. Much remains to be done. Turkey is gaining strength in its EU process. The Turkish people also back this process. It will continue this way, no one should doubt it." Gul also delivered the closing speech of the European Business World Summit and met with Belgium's King Albert II and Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht as well as Guenter Verheugen, the European Commission vice president responsible for enterprise and industry.