Students Charmed As Obama Leaves Turkey

US president Barack Obama says progress on issues such as combating global warming or resolving the Kurdish issue need time as state affairs evolve slowly, during and Q&A with college students in Istanbul.

Following his programme in Ankara yesterday, Obama went to Istanbul before leaving for Iraq today. He visited the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque this morning. Beforehand, Mr. Obama met with religious leaders in his hotel. Istanbul mufti Mustafa Çağrıcı, chief rabbi of Turkey's Jews Ishak Haleva, vice person to the Turkey's Armenians patriarch Aram Ateşyan, Syrian metropolitan bishop Yusuf Çetin and Istanbul Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos attended the meeting.   

Before heading to the airport to end his two-day visit to Turkey, Obama answered questions from around 80 college students in a meeting at Tophane.

Students cited his quotation from Atatürk, founder of the Turkish republic –peace at home, peace around the world- and asked Obama about his plans for combating global warming and peace.

He admitted that it was a mistake to not ratify the Kyoto Protocol and his administration is determined to get involved in continuing efforts. As for achieving global piece, Obama emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving arising conflicts.

He repeated support for Turkey's bid for EU membership and stated that France's reaction could be linked to the Armenian issue.(EÜ/AGÜ)