Czech President Backs Türkiye's EU Bid During Ankara Visit

Czech President Vaclav Klaus, speaking at a state dinner hosted by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in Ankara, voiced strong support for Türkiye's bid to join the European Union, calling the accession process beneficial for both sides.

Klaus pushed back against critics of Türkiye's membership, arguing that the EU is a political project defined by shared governance and economic systems, not by geography or culture. He wished Türkiye success in the road ahead.

The Czech president also praised Türkiye's role in stabilizing volatile regions, including the Near East, Iraq, and the Balkans, and acknowledged Türkiye's firm commitment to combating international terrorism.

On bilateral ties, Klaus noted that Czech firms have contributed to Türkiye's industrial development, energy sector expansion, and transportation supply chains, while Turkish goods have gained a foothold across multiple sectors of the Czech market.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in April 2006, in its own words.