Senior Turkish Official Says Turkey Belongs In Extended "G-7"

ANKARA - Senior Turkish official said Monday that Turkey belonged in an extended "Group of Seven".
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen told AA that if G-7 was to be extended to include other developed countries --as recently proposed by World Bank President Robert Zoellick-- Turkey needed to be there.
Tuzmen said Turkey, with its GNP of 650 billion USD, foreign trade volume of 330 billion USD and its stable economy, deserved to be in the group of developed countries.
"Turkey is among top countries to increase their exports, it also ranks high in growth rates. If G-7 is going to be extended, Turkey should be there. Turkey is an arbiter in its region," said Tuzmen.

-ZOELLICK`S REMARKS-

Zoellick recently said that the Group of Seven, consisting of 7 industrialised countries was not effective anymore and called for a broader group embracing the emerging countries in the world.
Zoellick urged "a new steering group" of some 14 or more countries that dominate the world population, economy, carbon emissions, capital markets, and foreign assistance.
He said that in addition to the G7 countries, candidates for membership might include Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. The G7 countries are Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.S.
(OZG-AÖ)
(ECO)