    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [June 27, 2004]
    [Pages 1142-1143]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
    Erdogan of Turkey in Ankara, Turkey
    June 27, 2004

        Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. You're right, this is my first trip
    to your beautiful country as President. It also happens to be my first
    trip to your beautiful country ever, and we're honored to be here. We
    appreciate the hospitality of the Turkish people.
        We look forward to meaningful discussions on a variety of subjects,
    bilateral relations, how we can strengthen NATO. I would remind the
    people of this good country that I believe you ought to be given a date
    by the EU for your eventual acceptance into the EU. I also look forward
    to working with you on matters regarding the neighborhood, Iraq and
    elsewhere. I appreciate so very much the example your country has set on
    how to be a Muslim country and, at the same time, a country which
    embraces democracy and rule of law and freedom.
        And so I'm so grateful for your invitation. Thank you very much for
    it, and I look forward to a fruitful discussion with you and with our
    NATO partners.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 9:40 a.m. at the Prime
    Minister's residence. Prior to the President's remarks, Prime Minister
    Erdogan spoke in Turkish, and no translation was provided. A tape was
    not available for verification of the content of these remarks.

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