President Abdullah Gul yesterday received Benin’s President Thomas Boni Yayi in an official ceremonial occasion at the Cankaya Presidential Residence.
After having a adjoining, Gul and Yayi held a news conference in Ankara. In response to a reporter’s question on his aspects about askings coming from jailed deputies for their release, Gul stated that Turkey’s courtrooms would make the decision on whether to release from prison deputies presently under arrest in light of the data they have and under laws presently in effect.
Responding a question on recent developments in Syria and the shooting down of a Turkish jet by Syria on June 22, Gul stated that there was consistence between affirmations from different Turkish institutions and transcriptions about the wreckage of the jet, and that there was no bilateral issue, aggression or conflict of concern between Turkey and Syria.
In response to a reporter’s question on Turkey’s initiatives in Africa, Gul stated that Turkey had embassies in thirty African countries and that the number would be raised to 34 soon. Gul added up that seventeen African countries had embassies in Turkey, telling that Yayi also declared they desired to open an embassy in Turkey.
Speaking for his part, Yayi told that it was very significant for him to visit Turkey as being the President of Benin and the chairperson of the African Union. Yayi added that his visit was crucial for the people of Benin and for the African continent too. Abiding by his contacts with Gul, Yayi adjoined with Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek.
