ISTANBUL - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that cultural diversity in the Balkans would allow use of social, economic and political potential in the Balkan countries completely, adding, ''we will bring along this to the European Union. These are our most important assets.''
Addressing the Balkans Political Club's Fourth International Conference at Istanbul's Ceylan Inter-continental Hotel, Gul said, ''Istanbul was the cradle of many cultures and civilizations. Therefore, it is the perfect preference to organize such a conference.''
Describing cultural potential of the Balkan countries as a significant factor of development, Gul said, ''all of us are aware of importance of protection of our common historical and spiritual inheritance. There hes been a culture of diversity in the Balkans. This diversity has enriched the Balkan countries and provided a joint power. From time to time, some leaders misused this diversity in the region. These attempts constituted a serious obstacle in front of settlement of stability in the region by causing separatism.''
''We have been experiencing a two-year peaceful period without clashes in the Balkans for the first time since the end of 1980s. We should preserve this culture of diversity. If we fail to do this, efforts expended in the past will vanish. We can achieve this only with tolerance and respect to other cultures. We should respect different religious beliefs and civilizations. Meanwhile, its is our commitments to make our economic cooperation perfect. Then, we can settle sustainable peace and stability in our region. We should support our achievements in security and politics with economic cooperation and development,'' he emphasized.
Recalling that democracies of the Balkan countries had been further developing, Gul added, ''this development also enrich cultural lives in the region. Cultural diversity will assist us to make the correct preferences. This will lead us to use our social, economic and political potential appropriately. These are our most significant assets. Our cooperation will inspire our countries.''
(UK-MS) 31.05.2003