Portuguese President: Turkey, Located In A Region Known As Unstable, Has Always Been Important For Security Of Europe

ISTANBUL - Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio said on Wednesday that Turkey, which is located in a region in the middle of Europe and Middle East, and known as unstable, had always been important for security of Europe.
Speaking at Turkish-Portuguese Business Council's Forum, Sampaio said bilateral economic relations could be further improved with a joint study which Turkish and Portuguese businessmen would carry out.
Sampaio stated that Turkey was a rival of Portugal in tourism, textile and shoe sector, adding that both countries would benefit from exchange of information.
Sampaio said bilateral relations would be further strengthened with the progress which Turkey would record on European Union (EU) full membership process. He said Portugal supported Turkey's full membership to EU.
Stating that they considered the United States as a natural partner thanks to the EU's approach on finding solution by solidarity, Sampaio said that EU countries were allies of the United States under the body of NATO.
Sampaio said that there was integration between European and American economies and stated that some claims that EU considered the United States as its rival were baseless. Sampaio added that on the contrary, alliance between the United States and Europe protected security and prosperity of both sides and it was the sine qua non of the international society.
(AY-EÖ-AÖ) 17.09.2003