LONDON - British The Times newspaper wrote that state visit of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom to Turkey should reinforce ties between the two countries.
An article in the newspaper wrote, "state visits are an opportunity to strengthen Britain`s overseas links, renew friendships, deepen political cooperation and send a symbolic message to public opinion, at home and abroad, that the host country matters. Few visits have been as timely or as significant as the Queen`s current tour of Turkey."
"Turkey is uniquely positioned as a bridge between East and West at a crucial time for the European Union and the wider world. It plays a key role in promoting peace, stability and development in an unsettled area. And it has remained a staunch NATO ally throughout the Cold War and during decades of Middle East turmoil," said the newspaper.
It wrote, "for Turkey, Britain is equally crucial. This country has been one of the most consistent champions of Turkish entry into the European Union. It was Tony Blair who began formal entry negotiations during the British presidency, and the government has pushed hard to stop its EU partners backsliding on this commitment."
"Stability in Iraq depends very largely on restraint in Ankara. Despite military incursions in hot pursuit of terrorists, Turkey has played a responsible role in promoting unity and stability within Iraq. That restraint is all the more important as Iraq begins to emerge from post-Saddam turmoil and violence," it said.
"But what makes Turkey uniquely important today is its attempt to reconcile moderate Islamism with democracy and economic development," it said.
The newspaper wrote, "the Ottoman Empire once influenced the entire Muslim world; what happens in Turkey still matters far beyond its shores."
(GC-MS)