GUL: WE HAVE YIELDED RESULTS OF OUR GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Jan 16 2007
ISTANBUL – "We have yielded results of our good relations with
the neighboring countries. We hope that it will be same with our
relations with Armenia," Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime
Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday.
Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Provincial Office of the ruling
Justice & Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul, Gul said, "since the
day we came to the political power, we have succeeded in increasing
exports from 30-35 billion USD up to 85 billion USD. Our new target
for exports is 100 billion USD. 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."
"Rate of neighboring countries in foreign trade rose from 3 percent
to 33 percent. We have yielded results of our good relations with
the neighboring 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 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."