Gül praises Ghannouchi’s success

TUNIS - Anatolia News Agency

Turkish President Abdullah Gul delivers a speech to members of the constituent assembly in Tunis, Thursday, March 8, 2012. AP photo

President Abdullah Gül has praised the success of Tunisia’s Rached Ghannouchi, whose Ennahda Party won elections last year following the Jasmine Revolution, during a meeting in Tunis.

Ghannouchi spent many years in prison but came to power in the first general elections since the overthrow of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Gül said, describing the process as a “dream.” “You spent many years in prisons and dungeons, but you never lost hope.” Gül was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay and Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz.

After visiting Ghannouchi, Gül attended an opening ceremony for a new computer laboratory at a Tunisian college, Sadıki College, funded by the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA). Gül asked students who have been studying at university to raise their hands. When nearly all of them raised their hands, Gül turned to other students and said: “Like them, referring to ones who raise their hands, you will study at university, won’t you?” Gül asked.

Gül also asked if there were students who had been to Turkey before while also voicing his pleasure at being in the school. He then attended a luncheon hosted by Ghannouchi.

On March 8, Gül addressed the Tunisian Parliament, becoming the first foreign president to do so. In his speech, Gül advised the Parliament to work on solving economic problems and extending freedoms. Gül was expected to return to Ankara late March 9.