MEDGIDIA - Turkey`s parliament speaker, who is currently in Romania on a formal visit, held a series of talks in Medgidia town of Constanta on Friday.
Delivering a speech upon his arrival in this Romanian town, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said he had the chance to see how good the relations between Turkey and Romania were.
"Nowadays, ethnical and religious disputes are on the rise in the world. The friendly climate in Romania, which brings together people of different origins, is a good example for the rest of the world," Toptan said.
Noting that there was a similar climate in Turkey, Toptan said, "churches, mosques and synagogues are located next to each other. The societies which manage to display such talent leave in peace and freedom".
Danut Culetu, the governor of Constanta, said that 20 percent of the 51,000 residents of Medgidia were of Turkish and Tatar origin. Culetu also said numerous Turkish businessmen had investments in Constanta.
After the welcoming ceremony, Toptan paid a visit to a private school named "Kemal Ataturk Ulusal Koleji" and the "Abdulmecid Mosque" constructed by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid in 1860.
Toptan, who arrived in Romania on Tuesday upon invitation of his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Olteanu, held talks with Olteanu, President of the Romanian Senate Nicolae Vacaroiu, Romanian President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu on Wednesday.
After meeting Romania`s top-level officials, Toptan met representatives of the Turkish community in this country at a reception held at the Turkish Embassy the same day. He also attended a reception held at the Azerbaijani embassy on the occasion of "Azerbaijan`s National Day".
(DO-ULG)