Norway's king Harald receives Toptan

King Harald V of Norway yesterday received Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan in Oslo. During the meeting, Toptan reportedly said that after being a "wing" country during the Cold War, Turkey became a bridge between the East and West, as well as the North and South. Saying that Turkey had recently become a major focal point, he added, "So it is affected by developments in its region, and moreover has an influence on other countries. In this context, we're trying to contribute to the Turkish government's diplomatic efforts by improving parliamentary diplomacy." For his part, Harald reportedly said that Turkey's importance in its region had recently risen. Harald also praised the Turks who live and work in Norway. During the meeting, the impact of the recent global economic crisis on both countries was also discussed.