BRUSSELS - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul described Turkish people living abroad as a great advantage and wealth of Turkey.
In an interview with the monthly Anadolu Magazine published in Belgium, Gul marked the 40th anniversary of Turkish people's coming to Belgium, and said, ''Turkish people, who went to Belgium and the other West European countries 40 years ago, have made important contributions to both Turkey and to these countries. They made this contributions by raising their children, by adapting themselves to these countries and expending efforts for education of new generations. They were employed in mining sector and other heavy works. Today, we see them in Belgian parliament and local administrations. There are Turkish doctors, academicians, artists, policemen and architects in Belgium. We are proud of them. We will never forget difficulties, which were experienced and overcome by Turkish workers.''
Recalling that most of Belgian tourists preferred Turkey to spend their holidays, Gul said, ''40-year efforts of Turkish people in Belgium made a valuable contribution to further improvement of relations between Turkish and Belgian peoples. We are grateful to our citizens, who have been representing Turkey in Belgium for 40 years with honesty, honor and pride. I want to stress that Turkish people living abroad should rely on brilliant future of Turkey.''
(UK-AÖ) 23.05.2003