ISTANBUL - European Commission President Romano Prodi departed on Saturday from Turkey, where he paid an official visit.
Prior to his departure, Prodi told reporters that his meetings with Turkish officials were fruitful.
Prodi expressed pleasure with his meetings with Turkish officials and people and said that he was leaving Turkey with very deep feelings of friendship.
Prodi, the first European Commission President who has visited Turkey since Ankara Agreement was signed in 1963, met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on January 15.
After being received by Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prodi addressed parliament and then met with Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal.
On January 16, Prodi was received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and visited Anitkabir, the Mausoluem of Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic.
Romano Prodi and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul held a joint press conference in Istanbul.
Prodi opened European Union (EU) Istanbul Information Center and delivered a speech on overview of future of EU-Turkey relations at Bogazici University in Istanbul.
(BRC-AY) 17.01.2004