M A I N   N E W S

PM arrives in Turkey

Ankara, September 16
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee arrived here today on a three-day visit to Turkey to strengthen India’s trade and political relations with this country.

Mr Vajpayee, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Turkey in the last 15 years, was received at the Esenbaga Airport by Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag and senior Turkish and Indian officials.

The Prime Minister, in an arrival statement, said he was happy to be in Turkey, carrying the best wishes of the people of India. “I am sure my visit will be successful in our aim to strengthen bilateral ties with Turkey...our relations with Turkey are as old as its great civilisation.”

He noted that India and Turkey were now witnessing a new commitment and surge to bolster bilateral cooperation. In the recent past, bilateral exchanges had intensified and the trade had increased significantly.

India, he said, shared common values of secularism and democracy with Turkey. “Both political and economic factors encourage an expansion of our cooperation.”

He said his visit would give him an opportunity to establish contact with the new Turkish leadership, adding he was looking forward to his discussions with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other leaders.

The Prime Minister’s visit is said to be well-timed as Turkey’s perception of India is undergoing a transformation.

Mr Vajpayee has a busy schedule during the next three days before he flies to New York to attend the UN General Assembly session.

Along with Mr Vajpayee, a 42-member Indian business delegation is here to explore opportunities for strengthening commercial relations with Turkish businesses.

Talking to reporters on board his special Air India flight, Mr Vajpayee also stated that the UN General Assembly session had become “very important” in view of certain global developments. He was obviously referring to the Iraq issue. — UNI