ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has said today (Wednesday) that it would be wrong to characterize the newly chosen Pope of Catholic world as anti-Turkish.
Gul held a press conference at Ankara`s Esenboga Airport before departing for Vilnius, Lithuania to attend an unofficial meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
Reminded about negative remarks made by the new Pope on Turkey`s EU aspirations, Gul indicated that it would be wrong to recognize the new Pope as anti-Turkish. ``There are statements he gave, interviews he gave to the Turkish journalists. The Pope clearly believes that Turkey, with its religion and beliefs, will have a prominent role in the EU. There could be times when statements and/or interviews may be misunderstood,`` told Gul.
Gul informed Turkish journalists that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and he sent messages congratulating the new Pope for his election.
In reference to the Turkish flag`s desecration in Greece, Gul noted that there are mutual attempts (by Turkey and Greece) to facilitate confidence building measures, one of which is developing ties between the armies of the two nations. ``Unfortunately, the maturity we have displayed was not displayed by the other side. Greek authorities told us that they would inform us after those responsible for desecrating the Turkish flag were found and punished accordingly. We naturally expect this,`` stressed Gul.
According to Gul, issues such as making NATO stronger politically, developments in the Middle East, ISAF movement in Afghanistan, KFOR movement in Kosova, NATO`s role in Iraq, NATO-EU ties, NATO-Russia and NATO-Ukraine relations will be some of the topics to be held in Vilnius.