Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Bush backs Turkey's EU bid

|
|
 
  
Turkish Foreign Ministe Abdullah Gul speaks at a press conference with Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (not shown) during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, June 25, 2006. On Sunday, Iran rejected reports of suspension of enrichment work for a period of three months. (UPI Photo/STR) 
Published: Jan. 8, 2008 at 2:10 PM

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush on Tuesday expressed strong support for Turkey's bid to join the European Union following a meeting with his Turkish counterpart.

Bush and Turkish President Abdullah Gul met in the Oval Office and then spoke with reporters.

"I strongly believe that Europe will benefit with Turkey as a member of the European Union," Bush said. He also said Turkey is an example to the world that democracy can coexist "with a great religion like Islam." He also called Turkey a bridge to the Islamic world.

Through a translator, Gull praised Bush's Middle East peace efforts.

"We believe that these are important efforts which can yield results," Gul said.

Bush pledged support for Turkey's efforts to suppress Kurdish rebels, which he called a terror threat to both Turkey and Iraq.

Topics: Abdullah Gul, George Bush
Recommended Stories
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
The Tibetan Moniam Festival in China Super Bowl XLVI ticker tape victory parade The making of the Oscars
The Chicago Auto Show The Most Desirable Women of 2012 Tu Bishvat Migron settlement
Additional Top News Stories
1 of 25
Meryl Streep and Colin Firth attend the "BAFTA" ceremony in London
View Caption
fark
There are many layers to the OWS onion, and each one is more difficult than the last to peel back....
Remember that YouTube Dad who shot daughter's laptop? Apparently some of the local city leaders...
America has a long history of being VERY VERY ANGRY. But we get over it
Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs in the hospital
Hugh Hefner's son accused of abusing a woman. Meanwhile, Hef's girlfriends have to see him naked...
Jesus just left Chicago. Photoshop where he's going