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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Queen begins royal Turkey visit | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Queen and Prince Philip have arrived in Ankara at the start of a four-day state visit to Turkey, their first to the country since 1971. | |
| During the trip, they will lay a wreath at the tomb of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern, secular Turkey. | During the trip, they will lay a wreath at the tomb of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern, secular Turkey. |
| They will also be guests at a state banquet hosted by President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa. | They will also be guests at a state banquet hosted by President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa. |
| Mrs Gul is likely to wear an Islamic headscarf despite a ban on them in public and governmental buildings. | Mrs Gul is likely to wear an Islamic headscarf despite a ban on them in public and governmental buildings. |
| The BBC's royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the controversial issue of the headscarf would confront the Queen as soon as she stepped off the plane. | The BBC's royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the controversial issue of the headscarf would confront the Queen as soon as she stepped off the plane. |
| Turkey's staunchly secular military is deeply opposed to headscarves being worn, while the ruling party, which has Islamic roots, believes religious symbols should be more openly accepted. | Turkey's staunchly secular military is deeply opposed to headscarves being worn, while the ruling party, which has Islamic roots, believes religious symbols should be more openly accepted. |
| EU accession | EU accession |
| After visiting Ataturk's tomb on Tuesday, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend a banquet at the president's palace. | After visiting Ataturk's tomb on Tuesday, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend a banquet at the president's palace. |
| Later in the trip, they will visit the western city of Bursa and will tour a school in Istanbul which has links with UK students. | Later in the trip, they will visit the western city of Bursa and will tour a school in Istanbul which has links with UK students. |
| The royal visit highlights the importance of Britain's relationship with Turkey. | The royal visit highlights the importance of Britain's relationship with Turkey. |
| Britain is a strong supporter of Turkey's attempts to join the EU. The country became an official candidate in 1999 and entered formal accession negotiations in 2005. | Britain is a strong supporter of Turkey's attempts to join the EU. The country became an official candidate in 1999 and entered formal accession negotiations in 2005. |
| It is seen as a key ally in the fight against terrorism. In recent years it has also led the International Security Assistance Force fighting the Taleban in Afghanistan. | It is seen as a key ally in the fight against terrorism. In recent years it has also led the International Security Assistance Force fighting the Taleban in Afghanistan. |
| The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited Turkey last November. | The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited Turkey last November. |