ISTANBUL - Turkish State Minister Mustafa Said Yazicioglu said on Thursday that he hoped the word Balkan would have a meaning symbolizing tranquility, prosperity and stability in the 21st century.
Yazicioglu addressed "Conference for Developing Friendly Relations and Cooperation between Turkey and Balkan Countries" in Istanbul organized by Yeditepe University.
Referring to the 600-year old joint culture and historical heritage between Turkey and the Balkans, Yazicioglu said Turkish community and their relatives were still present in the Balkans.
"It is very important for Turkey to be closely involved with decisions pertaining to the future of the Balkans and assuming an active role in initiatives looking for stability and cooperation in the geography," he noted.
Yazicioglu said maintaining permanent peace and stability in the region was the fundamental policy of Turkey, and underlined that Turkey`s commercial and economic relations with the Balkan countries accelerated in the recent years.
(AY-CE)
(GEN)