I wonder if political issues are discussed and addressed on such visits. Turkey goes through a very difficult time with millions of people protesting against the ruling party that Mr. Gül represents. Three young men died last week. But the government continues to use force like heavy tear gas against its predominately young people. I am sorry to say, but as a Turkish citizen, watching all this glamour and knowing at the same time that it is Mr. Gul's party and president that are massively accused of terrorizing the people, it gives these scenes in Denmark somehow a ridiculous character.
Political issues are very much discussed at this visit!
I've omitted writing about them because I didn't think they would be considered interesting in this forum.
But very briefly:
Turkey would very much like to become a member of EU, claiming with considerable justification that their economy is much better than many current EU-members not to mention future EU members.
On the other hand, there is the issue of human rights in Turkey, not least within the past coupld of years. And there is the genuine danger of the Turkish military stepping in again, as they have done before since the time of Kemal Atatürk.
There are a number of conditions which needs to be adhered to in order to become a member of EU. I.e. in regards to human rights and democratic rules.
But more importantly there is a fear of pushing the balance within EU by including a country of some 70 million people.
Then there is the problems of integrating Muslim immigrants in Europe. The prospect on including a large Muslim country on top of all these problems is
not considered desirable by many if not most.
So this visit is a part of a campaign of trying to gain allies to speak the Turkish interest within EU. The Danish PM have said that Denmark support Turkeys inclusion into EU - over time, sort of, but not too wholeheartedly...
As Turkey is an important NATO ally, and is located on the threshold of a volatile area, and de facto serves as a buffer for south-east Europe, USA a couple of years ago strongly advocated Turkeys admission into EU. That was aprubtly rejected, the Obama administration was basically told to take a hike. - It was made
very clear that USA should stay out of that issue!
On top of that, there is the issue of the Turkish PM, Erdogan, who is representing a more shall we say traditional Muslim view. In a country that since Kemal Atatürk has stayed firmly secular. That hasn't favoured the Turkish cause in Europe either.