Turkish President Abdullah Gul spoke at the Chicago Council for Global Affairs on Tuesday. His address to a packed ballroom centered on Turkey’s foreign policy and economic priorities.
Gul let the crowd know that Turkey’s economy is strong. Said Gul, “Despite the economic crises across Europe, Turkey stands out as the second fastest growing economy in the world right after China.”
On the world stage Gul says that Turkey stands as a regional power house. Gul explained, “From Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan to Somalia, from Iran to the Arab Spring, and from our efforts to promote sustainable development to dialog among civilizations, Turkey is making critical contributions to the most important issues facing the international community.”
Gul told the audience that the Turkish government and leadership supports democratic ideas in the Middle East and beyond. As an example Gul gave the Arab spring saying, “We have not been mistaken in siding with the people, fighting for their rights and dignity, we made a strategic decision to stay on the right side of history together with many members of the international community.”
With that international mindset Gul used his time at the NATO Summit in Chicago to meet with world leaders and explain his frustration over the worsening situation in Syria. Said Gul, “I have to say that international community as a whole has so far performed poorly in providing an effective response to the crises at hand… Turkey is doing all it can to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. Among others we are now hosting close to 25,000 Syrians who fled from the regime’s campaign of violence in the country.”
President Gul also met with US President Barack Obama at the NATO summit. Said Gul, “Together Turkey and the US can make a huge difference for peace and stability in this century if we can broaden and deepen our relationship.”
Gul hoped for greater economic development between the US and Turkey, “As I told President Obama, the very foundation of our strategic relations might slip away in the long run, if we fail to fully realize the economic potential between Turkey and the United States.”
Gul has gone to San Francisco and the Silicon Valley where Gul hopes that Turkey will invest more on research and development.
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SOUNDBITE:
Turkish President Abdullah Gul (English) : Despite the economic crises across Europe Turkey stands out as the second fastest growing economy in the world right after China.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul (English) : From Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan to Somalia, from Iran to the Arab Spring, and from our efforts to promote sustainable development to dialog among civilizations, Turkey is making critical contributions to the most important issues facing the international community.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul (English) :We have not been mistaken in siding with the people, fighting for their rights and dignity, we made a strategic decision to stay on the right side of history together with many members of the international community.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul (English) :I have to say that international community as a whole has so far performed poorly in providing an effective response to the crises at hand… Turkey is doing all it can to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. Among others we are now hosting close to 25,000 Syrians who fled from the regime’s campaign of violence in the country.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul (English) : Together Turkey and the US can make a huge difference for peace and stability in this century if we can broaden and deepen our relationship.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul (English) : As I told President Obama, the very foundation of our strategic relations might slip away in the long run, if we fail to fully realize the economic potential between Turkey and the United States.
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