PES congratulates Turkey on the election of its new President 

30 August 2007

The President of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, congratulated Turkey on its successful transition to a new President and expressed confidence in Mr. Abdullah Gül as the new head of state.

“Mr Gül must keep Turkey on the road of European integration, and I am sure he will” said Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. “By continuing to move towards a more profound respect for the rule of law throughout society, and a ever-deeper democracy, Turkey will be better and more harmonious nation for all its citizens. Mr Gül must also maintain the secular nature of Turkey, and again I am confident he will. The development of Turkey as a prosperous democracy, ever closer to the EU, is the best route for Turkey and I am sure Mr Gül knows it.”

“There is a real obligation now on the army to demonstrate its loyalty to the separation of power between government and army, and to play a neutral role in the politics of the nation.”       

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394,