ANKARA - U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in the Turkish capital of Ankara on an official visit on Sunday.
Obama arrived at Ankara's Esenboga Airport with the U.S. presidential aircraft "Air Force One".
After being welcomed by Turkish officials, U.S. President proceeded to the hotel he would stay in during his visit.
U.S. President Obama will begin his official program on Monday by visiting the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Republic of Turkey.
President Obama is later set to meet with Turkish President Abdullah Gul at Cankaya Presidential Palace. Following the meeting, the two leaders are expected to hold a joint news conference.
Obama is also scheduled to visit the Turkish parliament on Monday. After meeting with Turkish Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan and leaders of opposition parties, Obama will address the parliament. He will then meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Later in the day, President Obama will proceed to Istanbul to attend the Alliance of Civilizations meeting. He will partake in a banquet at the historical Dolmabahce Palace together with the other participating heads of state and government.
On April 7, President Obama is expected to meet with leaders of different faiths. He will visit the Sultanahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) and the Hagia Sophia.
He is also set to hold a round-table meeting with a small group of students and answer questions of other students from Europe and the Middle East through video-conference.
Later, President Obama will depart from Istanbul for Washington D.C.
Turkish presidential press office said on Sunday that bilateral relations between Turkey and USA as well as regional and global matters would be discussed during Obama's visit to Turkey.
(DO-AÖ)