BAU Hosted the Former President of Germany

Former German PresidentChristian Wulff said, "Türkiye has a geopolitically very important new airport. You don't necessarily have to fly somewhere via Europe. Look, Istanbul has become a new flight hub."

Attending the conference titled 'Türkiye-Germany Relations from a Historical Perspective' held at Bahçeşehir University, Christian Wulff, President of Germany between 2010 and 2012, said he was pleased to be in Türkiye. Noting that he hears positive remarks about Türkiye when he meets people from the business world, Wulff said: "Türkiye's population is young, hardworking and smart. Türkiye has a geopolitically very important new airport. You don't necessarily have to fly somewhere via Europe. Look, Istanbul has become a new flight hub. All of this attracts investment. But do you know what else attracts investment? The rule of law and a democratic environment. We look at America, China and Russia with concern. Germany looks at them this way. With issues boiling over everywhere, what I want to say here is, 'Hasn't the time come for Germany and Türkiye to grow closer?' I simply want to say, 'Let us leave mutual resentments behind and look ahead.'"

BE COURAGEOUS

Also offering advice to young people, Wulff continued: "Be courageous, and never close your hearts to other religions or other ways of life. Always be open-minded. Of course, societies take shape within certain rules and around certain common denominators, whether in Türkiye or in Germany. This is a foundation. Without forgetting this foundation, always keep your open-mindedness and tolerance alive."