Turkey bestows Latvia with an EU duty

President Abdullah Gül and First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül were welcomed by Latvian President Andris Berzins and his wife Dace Seisuma at an official ceremony in the Latvian capital of Riga.

After holding a bilateral discussion, Gül took part in a joint press conference with Berzins.

"Turkey has never recognized the occupation and annexing rulings on Latvia and has always regarded the country as an independent state. We have always supported Latvia's inclusion in European and Atlantic organizations," said Gül.

Expressing that Latvia has always supported Turkey's EU membership bid, President Gül stated, "I believe that this trip has brought on a new phase in mutual relations and has created the momentum for these relations to develop even further."

When asked if he relayed any concrete requests to Latvia in regards to Turkey's EU membership process, President Gül said that both he and EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış relayed information on Turkey's position and the current situation in the nation's EU accession process. Pointing out that as an EU member, Latvia has the opportunity to attend meetings that Turkey is unable to participate in, Gül said, "Therefore, we requested that Latvia be aware of our arguments and express them at these meetings."

Latvian President Berzins said, "Our nation determinedly supports Turkey's integration into the European Union."

During his stay, Gül posed for photographs with Turkish students at the Freedom Monument after which he toured the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. In the evening, President Gül and First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül attended a dinner held by Latvian President Andris Berzins in their honor.