Turkish president wins international relations prize

Prestigious Chatham House recognizes role of Gul in 'many of the positive steps' of Turkey.

LONDON - Turkish President Abdullah Gul has won this year's prestigious Chatham House prize for improving international relations, the British foreign policy think-tank announced Friday.

Gul was named for his work in deepening Turkey's traditional ties with the Middle East, his efforts to mediate between fractious groups in Iraq and for bringing together the Afghan and Pakistan leaderships during 2009.

The think-tank also praised his efforts to reunify the divided island of Cyprus, his role in beginning the process of reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia and his work in bringing Turkey closer to the European Union.

"President Gul is recognized for being a significant figure for reconciliation and moderation within Turkey and internationally, and a driving force behind many of the positive steps that Turkey has taken in recent years," it said.

Chatham House, also known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, awards the annual prize to the statesperson considered to have made the most significant contribution to improving international relations that year.

Previous recipients are Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who won it last year, and John Kufuor, then president of Ghana, who won in 2008.

Gul will be invited to London later this year to collect the award.

Source: Middle East Online.
Link: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=37930.