Gul welcomes Yayi of Benin

President Abdullah Gul yesterday welcomed Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi in an official ceremony at the Cankaya Presidential Residence. After having a meeting, Gul and Yayi held a press conference in Ankara. In response to a reporter's question on his views about requests coming from jailed deputies for their release, Gul said that Turkey's courts would make the decision on whether to release from prison deputies currently under arrest in light of the information they possess and under laws currently in force. Answering a question on recent developments in Syria and the downing of a Turkish jet by Syria on June 22, Gul said that there was consistency between statements from different Turkish institutions and recordings about the wreckage of the jet, and that there was no bilateral issue, hostility or conflict of interest between Turkey and Syria. In response to a reporter’s question on Turkey's initiatives in Africa, Gul said that Turkey had embassies in 30 African countries and that the number would be increased to 34 soon. Gul added that 17 African countries had embassies in Turkey, saying that Yayi also announced they wanted to open an embassy in Turkey. Speaking for his part, Yayi said that it was very important for him to visit Turkey as being the President of Benin and the chairperson of the African Union. Yayi added that his visit was important for the people of Benin and for the African continent too. Following his contacts with Gul, Yayi met with Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek.