Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Jan 13 2007

Turkey: Minister praises good trade relations with neighbours

Istanbul, 13 January: "We have yielded results of our good relations
with the neighbouring countries. We hope that it will be same with
our relations with Armenia," Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday [13 January].

Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Provincial Office of the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul, Gul said: "Since the
day we came to the political power, we have succeeded in increasing
exports from 30-35bn dollars up to 85bn dollars. Our new target for
exports is 100bn dollars. We have made a series of reforms in order
to further strengthen democracy in Turkey. Those reforms were
described as a ‘silent revolution’ in the world. As a result,
Turkey’s esteem has further consolidated in the international
platform."

"The rate of neighbouring countries in foreign trade rose from 3 per
cent to 33 per cent. We have yielded results of our good relations
with the neighbouring countries. We hope that it will be same with
our relations with Armenia," he said.

"We are determined to reach EU standards in all areas. Public opinion
in the EU-member countries will understand Turkey’s importance and
future contributions in the course of time," he said.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Gul said: "The [self-declared] Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has gained both economic and
political power during the political power of the AKP. Leaders of
several countries held official talks with TRNC President Mehmet Ali
Talat. A situation like de facto recognition has emerged."

Touching on Turkey’s Iraq policy, Gul said: "We attach great
importance to our relations with Iraq. Turkey has fulfilled its
responsibilities to provide stability in Iraq. However, there are
gaps and mistakes in Iraqi constitution. It includes a number of
uncertainties. We also attach great importance to protection of
Iraq’s territorial integrity and political unity. We have never
intervened in Iraq’s domestic affairs."