Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said Friday Europe must think about Turkey's membership from a global and strategic perspective and approve Turkey's membership.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Ankara on Friday, Ilves said that he was pleased to be in Turkey.

“I had visited Mr. Gul while he was the prime minister. I have warm feelings towards Turkey and have made statements in the past in support of Turkey,” Ilves said.

“Relations between Turkey and Estonia began a long time ago. Turkey had recognized Estonia as a new country at a time of occupation by the Soviet Union and rejected the Soviets' occupation of Estonia. Turkey has always had great support for Estonia,” Ilves said.

“Turkey has the right to be present in the EU. Europe must look at Turkey's membership from a strategic perspective,” Ilves said.

“There are Turcology departments in Estonia's universities and many Estonians know how to speak Turkish. It is crucial for the peoples of our two countries to get to know each other. Estonians come to Turkey as tourists and we expect to see Turkish tourists in Estonia,” Ilves also said.

If it's so important for Estonia, just let Mr. Ilves sing: "Let's get together and feel alright". But don't try the rest are going to accept his ideas, specially when Turkish president was condemned for religious hate. Turkey is a democracy, so a majority of Turks didn't consider important that fact when they voted for him.

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