President Gul Says EU Should Not Fear Turkey

President Gul said the EU should keep in mind that Turks could say no to EU when the time comes.

Ahead of the critical Turkey visit of the German President, Turkish President Abdullah Gul evaluated Turkey`s relations with Germany and the EU to Suddeutche Zeitung newspaper.

Referring to Turkey-EU relations, Gul said "Whoever wants to open out to the world must know how to live together with different religions." President Gul criticised some EU politicians and itellectuals with lack of vision.

Underlining the need for strategic and long-term thinking Gul said "only then Europe will become visibly powerful."

Also touching upon Turkey-Israel relations Gul said the attack on Mavi Marmara, where 9 people were killed will not be easily forgotten.

On Iran, Gül said "We don`t want nuclear power in our region. If Iran problem cannot be solved through diplomacy, there can be a war; we don`t want a war in our region. The whole world witnessed the things happened in Iraq."