Queen Elizabeth Visits Turkey
Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Turkey yesterday, for their second visit to this country. The first time was 37 years ago; back then, the two were warmly welcomed by Turkish masses. This, however, the reception was colder. The reason: 37 years ago, Turkey wasn’t much of a player. It had a whole lot of catching up to do. Today the situation is different: Turkey is ready to join the European Union.
The Queen and the Duke were not greeted by happy crowds in Ankara yesterday. ‘Instead of being greeted by jubilant crowds, they were whisked from the airport to a wreath-laying ceremony at the shrine of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern secular Turkey. The Queen wore a black coat and skirt, enlivened by lime green French-pleat trimming, black gloves and a hat with a bold black feather, as she followed three soldiers slow marching down the cobbled promenade.’
Seemingly, the British Royal Family is quite fond of Turkey: six months ago Prince Charles visited this country as well. Nick Baird, British Ambassador to Turkey, explained the visits as follows: “The reason for the two visits is just a sign of the importance of Turkey to both the EU and the world, and highlights the breadth and depth of its relationship with the UK.”
Perhaps there’s more to it than that though: perhaps the Brits are spending so much time and attention to Turkey because Turks are becoming increasingly anti-Europe (because of the problems with Turkey’s bid to join the EU). Or, of course, because of the recent domestic political problems.
Turks always respected the British people and their contrubution to civilized World,
I as a British citizen was mocst welcomed by the Turkish people and was treated with outmost respect and kindness,
l recently purchased a summer house in Bodrum and l feel home
with all other British citizens,bars and kind Turkish people,
and for sure Turkey belongs to EU
Charles,K.