Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Dec 29 2009

Turkey’s deputy PM says country pursues "multidimensional" foreign policy

Ankara: Turkish State Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan
said on Tuesday that Turkey carried out a multi-dimensional foreign
policy.

In an exclusive interview with TV channel Kanal 24, Babacan gave
information about the recent developments in Turkish economy as well
as expectations for 2010.

Commenting on the allegations that there was change in Turkey’s
foreign policy recently, Babacan said more than half of Turkey’s
exports was with the EU member countries and some other part was with
neighbouring and surrounding countries.

Babacan said Turkish exporters started to seek for new alternative
markets after shrinkage of market in the EU, "Turkish exporters
boosted trade volume with the neighbouring and surrounding countries,"
he added.

Referring to the new model partnership with the United States, Babacan
said Turkey and the United States drew strategic framework of economic
and commercial relations within the framework of this new model
strategic partnership.

Babacan said Turkey was a European, Asian, Black Sea, Caspian,
Mediterranean and Middle East country, indicating that Turkey should
definitely be interested in the problems pertaining to its geography
and history.

"Turkish government improved relations with Iran and Syria and
normalised relations with Armenia," Babacan said, noting that, "We
have enlivened relations with countries like India and Mexico which it
neglected for long years".

Babacan said Turkey’s finance sector was not affected by the crisis as
reforms had been fulfilled in Turkey beforehand in finance sector.

"Global crisis could not be overcome fully. The fog has not dispersed
but lessened. Next year will be more clear," he noted.

Babacan said Turkey’s Central Bank made correct and well-timed
measures against crisis, adding that one of the principle targets of
Central Bank was price stability.

Commenting on unemployment in Turkey, Babacan said unemployment rate
would drop to some extend next year and would further decrease in the
coming years.

"Every country suffers from unemployment, which is related to economic
growth. Developed countries also experience unemployment problem," he
said.

Asked if he would attend Davos Summit in 2010, Babacan said he was
still assessing the issue.

Babacan said nuclear power plant was absolutely necessary to reduce
Turkey’s dependence to foreign countries in energy.