LISBON
Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed hope that Turkey's EU membership negotiation process would be concluded positively.
Holding a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho on Monday, Gul said that Turkey's completing the negotiation process successfully would be for everybody's interest.
Gul noted that Turkey and Portugal's relationship was very strong today, and added that both countries served in NATO in hard times.
Gul underlined that the trade volume between the two countries was about USD 1 billion and would continue to increase and that businessmen would be able to establish great partnerships.
"As of April 2013, Portuguese citizens have been able to visit Turkey only by using their ID cards. We hope that the EU will change its visa policy against Turkey and make it more understandable," Gul said.
The Portuguese Prime Minister said, "The political relationship between Portugal and Turkey is on a great level. The signing of four agreements will boost it."
Turkish President Gul meets Portuguese parliament speaker
Gul met Portuguese Parliament Speaker Maria Assuncao Andrade Esteves in Lisbon.
Gul was welcomed by Parliament Speaker Esteves on Monday with a military ceremony at Sao Bento Palace.
Turkish President Gul was accompanied by a delegation of deputies who came together with members of the Portuguese Parliament.
Turkish and Portuguese presidents meet over a dinner
Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva hosted a dinner in honor of Turkish President Gul on Monday.
Speaking at the dinner, Gul said that the relations between Turkey and Portugal, two ally and friend countries, were on perfect level, adding that the trade volume exceeded one billion USD, while both countries were willing to increase mutual investments, assess new cooperation opportunities on energy area, and develop the existing cooperation in tourism and culture areas.
Silva, who also spoke at the dinner, said that Portugal had supported Turkey's EU membership all the time, adding that Turkey's accession would add more richness in Europe.
Silva called on Turkish businessmen to invest in Portugal which presented an advantageous business milieu and investment opportunities, and said that Turkish and Portuguese businessmen could make partnerships in South America and Africa.
