President Gül responded to queries from the press about the current domestic affairs including the Constitutional Court’s verdict to accept the personal appeal from the former Chief of General Staff, İlker Başbuğ, and the recent events occuring in Ukraine and the Crimea.

Performing the Friday Prayer at Hacı Cemal Yazgan Mosque in Istanbul, President Gül shared his views on the current discussions regarding the domestic issues on the agenda.

Question: Mr. President, what would your evaluations be about the Constitutional Court’s decision to accept the personal appeal from Ret. General İlker Başbuğ?

President Gül: “I have always underscored that the long period of detention is unfair and that it turns into a punishment. I therefore find it very appropriate that the Constitutional Court has reached a unanimous decision regarding the appeal made by former Chief of General Staff İlker Başbuğ.”

Q: Mr. President, can we hear your comment on the ongoing events in the Crimea?

President Gül: “Both Ukraine and the Russian Federation are Turkey's neighbors through the Black Sea. Therefore, we do not want any tension escelating in our region. We are closely following these ongoing incidents there. The Muslim population of Turkish origin in the Crimea closely concern us. This issue can be overcome through dialogue and according to international law and the importance of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Turkey is making every effort toward a resolution in this regard.”

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