MANAMA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has met the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain in Manama today (Monday).
In the meeting with Gul, King Al Khalifa talked about the Turkish Armed Forces. ''I am impressed by the bravery of the Turkish Armed Forces. I studied in a military college in the United States. I learned with interest that the Turkish officers and soldiers displayed utmost bravery during the Korean War. While the U.S. troops were trying to hide, the Turks remained calm and in control,'' said Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
''Turkey is a very strong country with which we want to cooperate in every area possible. You manufacture ships, tanks, aircraft and contemporary military equipment. We have the funds available to conduct trade in these areas. Of course, we want to cooperate with the Turks not only in military related areas but also commercial and economic ones,'' told Al Khalifa.
Al Khalifa made a call to all Turkish businessmen to start investing in Bahrain. ''We are also open to joint ventures in third countries,'' commented Al Khalifa.
Al Khalifa expressed that Turkey is a bridge between the Islamic world and West. ''We are ready to contribute to Turkey's pivotal role in the region,'' mentioned Al Khalifa.
Gul remarked that he shares the same notions on stability and security in the region with that of Al Khalifa. ''We can assist Bahrain with the military technology Turkey has and can train Bahraini military personnel,'' told Gul.
Gul mentioned that Turkey and Bahrain can cooperate in commercial areas. ''We hope to welcome Bahraini businessmen to Turkey for investments in the tourism sector,'' noted Gul.
Gul added that the Gulf Cooperation Council is regarded as a very important entity for Turkey and will facilitate a cooperation in a large geographical area.
(SOL-MS)
2005-05-30