ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer welcomed on Monday his Portuguese counterpart Jorge Sampaio with an official ceremony.
Following the ceremony, Sezer said that friendship of Turkey and Portuguese was rooted in history.
Sezer noted that there were not any problems between the two countries and this created significant opportunities to further improve bilateral relations.
Two countries could not sufficiently make use of existing cooperation potential, Sezer stated.
Sezer expressed belief that Sampaio's visit would contribute to further improvement and acceleration of friendship, cooperation and relationship between Turkey and Portuguese.
They would review all dimensions of bilateral relations and search for ways to increase cooperation in their meeting, Sezer pointed out.
Sezer added that he and Sampaio would exchange views on Turkey-European Union (EU) relations, convention works, and EU's future and take up regional and international developments.
Sampaio said that he aimed to further improve friendship between two countries and nations with his visit.
Ataturk, the Founder of Turkey that was the cradle of many civilizations, initiated many important democratization movements in the 20th century, Sampaio noted.
Sampaio said that those initiatives brought Turkey to the level of European countries.
He also aimed to increase cooperation between his country and Turkey during his visit, Sampaio stated.
Sampaio said that if the two countries improved their relations as two NATO members and two future EU partners, if they learned more about each other and if they enabled their governments and non-governmental organizations to work together, they would benefit from those initiatives.
Countries like Turkey and Portuguese were allies and partners in the era of globalization, would work for democratic goals, and cooperate in order to develop, Sampaio noted.
Sampaio stated that therefore, improvement of their friendship would be beneficial for the two countries.
Recalling that he was accompanied by a delegation of businessmen and artists, Sampaio said that they could also cooperate in arts, trade and policy.
Sampaio added that they would exchange views on bilateral relations, Turkey-EU relations, and Turkey's important role in regional security.
SEZER: ''I STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE WE ATTRIBUTE TO CONTINUATION OF SUPPORT EXPENDED BY PORTUGAL TO TURKEY IN EU PROCESS''
Sezer and Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio held a joint news conference after talks between the delegations of two countries. Sezer said the talks were ''productive''.
Sezer said Turkish-EU relations constituted one of the main agenda items, stating that he gave information to Sampaio about the reforms fulfilled in Turkey in the recent period. Sezer said they also exchanged views about future of EU.
Thanking for the support expended by Portugal to Turkey's EU membership so far, Sezer said, ''I stressed that this support could be a historical milestone for Turkish-EU relations, and I also stressed the importance we attribute to continuation of this support throughout 2004.''
Sezer said he listened views of Sampaio on various international issues, adding that he also briefed Portuguese President about Turkey's foreign policy.
Sezer said this visit was important as it was the first visit in Presidential level after nine years between the two countries. He noted that, ''the visit constituted an important and valuable milestone to improve ties between Turkey and Portugal.'' Sezer said, ''we also adopted a joint statement stressing our determination to improve bilateral relations.''
Sampaio in his part said political relations between the two countries were very positive, and noted that Portugal supported Turkey in EU process from the very beginning and that it would continue to support Turkey in the future.
Sampaio expressed hope for Turkey's EU full membership, and congratulated Turkey for the reforms it fulfilled and for the efforts exerted to implement those reforms.
Sampaio said his country would share its experiences about the EU membership process with Turkey, and expressed readiness to expend every kind of aid.
''BOTH SIDES WILL HAVE COOPERATION IN TURKEY'S INTEGRATION PROCESS TO EU''
Turkey and Portugal will have bilateral cooperation within the scope of Turkey's integration process to the EU, a joint statement released on Monday after the meeting between President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio said.
Recalling the recent visit of Sampaio to Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Portugal in July 2003, and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's visit to Portugal which was expected to take place between November 4 and 5, 2003, the statement noted that both sides were very pleased with current positive level of bilateral relations.
The statement said that the two countries were determined to benefit from current possibilities for developing cooperation
Stating that the sides would further improve cooperation and dialogue on international issues that concern both sides like Mediterranean, the Middle East, Balkans, Latin America, Africa, Caucasia, Central Asia, security and disarmament, it said that arrangements regarding consultation process on those issues would be determined through diplomatic ways as soon as possible.
The statement said that the two sides would have bilateral cooperation and close contact within the scope of Turkey's integration process to the EU.
It said that Portugal declared that it was ready to share its experience with Turkish side on reforms which the country had fulfilled on European integration process, development of civilian society and increasing sensitivity of the society.
Stating that both countries would improve bilateral cooperation in security, justice and interior affairs and they would also develop cooperation within the scope of the EU, the statement said that the two countries would give priority to fight against organized crimes, drug smuggling, illegal migration and terrorism.
It noted that the two countries were determined to continue their cooperation within the scope of cooperation agreement which was presented by Turkish side on fight against significant crimes including terrorism and organized crimes.
The joint statement said that the two sides expressed their pleasure over current close relations between armed forces of the two countries and Turkey and Portugal declared that they wanted to intensify and vary those relations within the scope of NATO-SOFA.
It noted that Turkey and Portugal confirmed once again their intention for developing bilateral economic and commercial relations that was also targeted by agreements which had been concluded.
The statement said that both countries reached consensus on development of cooperation toward Mediterranean, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, Caucasia and Central Asia regions.
It said that both countries had consensus on speeding up of signing process on several agreements which were on the level of negotiation.
The statement said that the two countries would support and develop change and cooperation programs and Turkish and Portuguese businessmen's joint projects in some countries or regions where they had sound, cultural, historical and ethnic relations. It noted that the two countries reached consensus on preparing a Culture Exchange Program as soon as possible to benefit more from Culture Agreement which was signed between the two countries in 1988.
(EÖ-AÖ) 15.09.2003