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Queen's tribute to Turkey founder | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Queen has called the founder of modern-day Turkey "one of the greatest figures of modern history" during a visit to his mausoleum in Ankara. | |
She laid a wreath at the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as she and Prince Philip began a four-day state visit to the secular Islamic republic. | |
In a visitor's book she wrote it was an "honour" to pay her respects to "a much valued friend of the United Kingdom". | |
It is the royal couple's first visit to Turkey since 1971. | |
Religious symbols | |
They are also due to attend a state banquet hosted by President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa at the president's palace. | |
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. |
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. |
At his tomb, the Queen said Ataturk was a 'valued friend' | |
Later in the trip, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh 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. |