Britain's Queen Elizabeth II began her first visit to Turkey in 37 years on Tuesday, a trip designed to underscore her country's support for Turkish membership in the European Union.

Queen will listen to Quran - 13 / 05 / 2008 18:07

Queen Elizabeth II and the accompanying delegation were welcomed on Tuesday by Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin, Ankara Governor Kemal Onal, British Ambassador in Ankara Nick Baird and Turkish Ambassador in London Yigit Alpogan at Ankara's International Esenboga Airport.

The royal couple first visited the mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, in the capital Ankara and laid a wreath at the tomb - a tradition expected of all visiting dignitaries.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul welcomed the monarch with full military honors at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.

Gul and his wife will have a meeting with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip after the ceremony. Gul will host a dinner in honor of the queen the same day.

The royal couple is scheduled to visit the northwestern province of Bursa on Wednesday. The queen also will visit the Bursa's historical Yesil Camii (Green Mosque) and listen to a sura of Quran, Islam's holy book .

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Thursday will visit Istanbul, where they will host a reception in honor of Gul and his wife aboard HMS Illustrious, an aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy that will accompany the queen on her visit to Turkey.

On Friday, the last day of her visit to Turkey, the queen and her husband will return to Ankara to bid farewell to Gul and his wife.

The monarch, who last visited Turkey with her husband in October 1971, is also scheduled to attend a reception to be hosted by the British Embassy in Ankara and then depart from Turkey late Friday.

A total of 757 foreign journalists are expected to cover Queen Elizabeth's visit to Turkey.