ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan left for Portugal on Tuesday as the official guest of Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.
Erdogan held a press conference and replied questions of reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure.
Emphasizing that his visit would be the first visit which was on Prime Ministers level between Turkey and Portugal, Erdogan said that relations with Portugal would reach a more important point with this visit.
Erdogan said that Turkey and Portugal located in two different ends of Europe and were bridges between Europe and other continents, adding that both countries attributed importance to peace and stability in Mediterranean.
Noting that he would also meet with Portuguese Parliament Speaker during his visit, Erdogan said that Turkey-European Union (EU) relations and international and regional issues would be on the agenda.
State Ministers Ali Babacan and Kursat Tuzmen and many businessmen are accompanying Erdogan.
Erdogan said regarding the return of some articles of the Sixth Adjustment Package by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer that rejection of package was out of question, adding that Sezer had such an interpretation about it and it would be discussed again and they would do what was necessary.
Holding a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure for Portugal, Erdogan replied questions of reporters.
When asked his evaluations about Sezer's returning some articles of the Sixth Adjustment Package to Parliament and his objections, Erdogan said that rejection of package was out of question, adding that the President had such an interpretation and they would surely discuss this different idea both in themselves and with opposition party. He said that it was a decision which was taken unanimously and it would be discussed again.
Noting that they wanted businessmen to take more rapid steps especially in investment, Erdogan said that they should draw foreign capital to Turkey.
(GC-UK) 01.07.2003