Czech President Klaus backs Turkey’s EU bid

Czech President Klaus backs Turkey’s EU bid

published: 14.02.2012, 15:46 | updated: 14.02.2012 16:00:12

Ankara – Current economic EU problems cannot be any reason to weaken support to Turkey’s EU bid and the reverse should be true, Czech President Vaclav Klaus said after meeting his counterpart Abdullah Guel today.

Accompanied with over 60 Czech businessmen, Klaus has started a four-day state visit to Turkey.

“I am sure Europe needs a change, it needs to be woken up, it needs to be shaken. The entry of such a big and dynamic country as Turkey could spark off the shock,” Klaus said.

Klaus is a long-standing proponent of Turkey’s EU membership.

“The Czech Republic is a clear and obvious supporter of Turkey with its EU bid,” Klaus said.

Guel said Klaus’s stand on the EU and Turkey was well-known, adding that he thanked him for this.

Guel said Klaus was a critic of some EU steps.

He said it could be seen now that his views were right.

Klaus and Guel also agreed on the solution to the situation in Syria. They said it was untenable and a change had to occur.

“A domestic and regional solution should take precedence over decisions coming from outside the region. The farther from the area, the more simplistic view,” Klaus said.

Klaus stressed the importance of his trip for Czech businessmen.

“Along with me, the biggest business delegation in the history of the Czech Republic is coming. For the first time, we are flying by two, not one plane. This is evidence of our great interest,” Klaus said.

Later in the afternoon, Klaus will open the Czech-Turkish Business Forum that will continue in the Turkish towns of Adana and Mersin.

A number of contracts will be signed. Representatives of the Czech Export Bank are to confirm the mandate agreement on financing the construction of port infrastructure and a trade center in Istanbul.

Author: ČTK

www.ctk.cz

via Czech President Klaus backs Turkey’s EU bid – ČeskéNoviny.cz.