BRUSSELS - European Commission President Romano Prodi and European Union (EU) High Representative for Common and Foreign Security Policy Javier Solana congratulated Abdullah Gul who was appointed to form the new government by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Saturday.
In his statement, Prodi said, ''I warmly congratulate Mr. Abdullah Gul who today has been appointed as Prime Minister of Turkey.''
''The relations between the European Union and Turkey are of greatest importance. We are confident that Turkey will pursue its reform process. I look forward to working together with Mr. Gul,'' Proid said.
Meanwhile, in his statement, Solana said, ''I would like to congratulate Mr. Abdullah Gul who President Sezer has just appointed Prime Minister. I wish the new Turkish Prime Minister every success in his mandate.''
''The new political leadership has an unprecedented opportunity to lead Turkey towards its aspirations. The new government will face historical challenges. It will also have the occasion to take courageous decisions, notably on Cyprus as well as on ESDP. My last visit to Ankara reassured me that the necessary political will is there to make breakthroughs. I strongly hope that the new Turkey's government will demonstrate its willingness in concrete terms and seize this opportunity to work constructively with the European Union,'' Solana said.