BY YILMAZ OZTUNA
TURKIYE- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s trip to Russia this week is probably the busiest foreign visit made recently by one of our leaders. Turkish-Russian relations carry great importance, and our ties with the EU and the US aren’t obstacles to these relations. Russia is still our neighbor to the north. Erdogan’s historic visit is mostly based upon economic interests. Our economic ties with Russia are ripe for growth. Both sides have a great potential. However, our trade deficit, which is due to our energy agreements with Russia, should be closed. Turkish businessmen have large investments in Russia. We’re also expecting an influx of Russian capital.
Russia ranks number two after Germany in terms of sending tourists to our country. We ourselves should visit Russia, which is the largest country in the world. 20 million Turks and Muslims live there. In its Caucasia and Turkmenistan policies, Turkey should find a balance between Russia and the US and meet the EU’s requests. This way we can work to benefit the Turkic states there. Our relations with Turkic states should be closer. So we’re waiting to see Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s increased interest in Turkic world. Erdogan’s visit to Moscow will be followed by everybody closely. We have good relations with the Turkic republics, we’re the US’ strategic ally and Russia’s friend, and we get on well with our neighbors. So we can easily become an EU member.