ISTANBUL - Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio said on Thursday that all national histories had both dark and cheerful periods. ''We must take them all into consideration and take lessons for both today and future,'' he said.
Sampaio, who is currently in Turkey as the guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, visited Neve Shalom Synagogue the same day.
Speaking during the meeting, Sampaio said that the Jewish society in Turkey constituted an important tie with Portugal, adding that he was very pleased to be in a synagogue.
Sampaio said that there were many Portuguese people who migrated to these territories due to religious pressures, adding that it was a historical tragedy to force Portuguese people who were Jewish to change their religions and even to force them to leave Portuguese kingdom in the past.
Noting that Portugal was a democratic country who integrated with Europe today, Sampaio said that Portugal supported Turkey's EU candidacy.
Head of Jewish community in Turkey Bension Pinto said that Jewish community lived in peace in Turkey for a period of more than 700 years, adding that they were very pleased as Turkish nation opened the doors to them. Noting that they equally benefited from the sources of the country and they were devoted to Turkey, Pinto said that they were pleased to live in Turkey.
Pinto stated that he shared the view of Sampaio that ''religion was not an obstacle for Turkey to join the EU,'' adding that admission of Turkey to the EU will be the best example to be given against polarization caused by religious differences in the world.
(Öª) 18.09.2003