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Speech by the President of the Republic during the Dinner Hosted by H.E. Ahmet Necdet Sezeri and Mrs Semra Sezeri in the Honour of H.E. Arnold Rüütel and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel September 6, 2005, Ankara06.09.2005
His Excellency, President Sezer,
Her Excellency, Mrs Sezer
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mr. President, I would like to thank you for this invitation and your warm welcome. I am very touched by the friendliness and warmth which has surrounded us from the moment of our arrival.
Meeting you again, Mr. President, has been the source of great joy and our conversations have enabled us to clarify our positions. These discussions have provided me with a great deal of food for thought. I have felt the sincere interest and sympathy of Turkey towards Estonia during many meetings.
Estonia and Turkey are at opposite corners of Europe. Our cultures and our languages are different. Although also our historical experiences are different, we have still found possibilities for mutual understanding and a will for co-operation, and that already happened a long time ago.
I am pleased to cast my mind back to the long-term co-operation between Estonia and Turkey which began already in January 1924, during the legendary President Atatürk, when our countries forged their diplomatic ties and declared their intentions for a serious and everlasting friendship.
The people of Estonia value very highly the fact that Turkey never recognised the Soviet occupation in Estonia. Turkey was also among the first countries which recognised the Republic of Estonia in 1991 and continued the communication which started decades ago. Also the re-independent Estonia stated its firm goals and worked hard towards NATO membership, Turkey was our good supporter, considering it to be very important that every country can choose their own security policy guarantees.
Now we are partners in NATO where new tasks stand before us. Today's world is full of serious contradictions. There are new extremist powers at work and the world has witnessed more frequent terrorist attacks. Fighting terrorism is our common challenge, against which we have to muster all our strengths.
Mr. President,
With a great warmth and gratitude I recall your visit to Estonia which further enlivened the strength of our mutual ties and frequency of our contacts.
The volume of trade between Turkey and Estonia has increased. A lot of work is still before us in order to improve our economic ties. I am convinced that this visit will be of help and the economic co-operation - as you would say in Turkey - will blossom.
The number of people in Estonia planning their holidays in Turkey is increasing. Not only because of the warm climate. I believe I can say that Turkey is like a history book which enriches our spiritual world. It is possible that many people would come to Turkey to seek out these riches. At the same time nordic Estonia could be interesting for these tourists from Turkey who are interested in spots of natural beauty, and also for people who would like to walk the streets of a mediaeval Hanseatic town.
We have also seen the increase of our cultural contacts. The fact that Turkish language and culture is taught in Estonian Universities, both in the University of Tartu and also in the University of Tallinn, shows the great interest towards your country, and towards your old and rich cultural heritage. I am pleased to recall that Tallinn University Turkish language class was officially opened by the previous President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Demirel during his visit to Estonia, accompanied by a present of an abundant library.
President Sezer,
Dear friends,
Turkey has achieved significant progress in the process of accession to the European Union and your accession negotiations are beginning soon. Based on Estonia's experience I dare to say that it takes the effort of the entire society - so to say, the effort of the entire beehive. I know you have a good expression: work hard and work like a bee - and then you will eat the honey. We are ready to share with you our experiences about the negotiations with the European Union.
His Excellency, President Sezer,
Her Excellency, Mrs Sezer
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of myself and Mrs. Rüütel, on behalf of the people of Estonia and all the people present, allow me to raise my glass in the honour and success of the Republic of Turkey, and to the health of President Sezer and Mrs. Sezer.
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