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Queen's tribute to Turkey founder | Queen's tribute to Turkey founder |
(about 2 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. | 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 Muslim country. | 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 Muslim country. |
In a visitor's book she wrote it was an "honour" to pay her respects to "a much valued friend of the United Kingdom". | 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. | It is the royal couple's first visit to Turkey since 1971. |
Religious symbols | Religious symbols |
They also attended a state banquet in Ankara, hosted by President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa at the president's palace. | |
In a speech prepared by the Foreign Office, the Queen said at the banquet that Turkey was a bridge between East and West at a crucial time. | |
"For us, Turkey is as important now as it has ever been," she said. | |
"Turkey is uniquely positioned as a bridge between East and West at a crucial time for the European Union and the world in general." | |
Mrs Gul wore a pink 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. |
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Highlights of the first day of the Queen's visit to Turkey | Highlights of the first day of the Queen's visit to Turkey |
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. | 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. |