ANKARA (AA) - ''Turkey aims to create a confidence, peace, stability and tranquility zone in its region,'' said Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.
Justice & Development Party (AK Party) political group convened under the leadership of Gul on Tuesday as Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan is currently in Russia for an official visit.
Delivering a speech, Gul said, ''Turkey has become a country which is closely contemplated not only in its region but also in the whole world. We pursue a more active and foresighted policy now. Turkey has become a different country after December 17th, 2004 and privatization efforts gained importance''.
Gul noted, ''Turkey draws attraction as it has entered a more stable period. We will pass through a tight negotiation process with the EU.''
''Turkey's priorities in 2005 will not only be limited with the EU. Turkey cannot be a country which is only interested in the EU,'' he added.
Gul said, ''Turkey will be more interested in its close neighbors this year. We aim to create a confidence, peace, stability and tranquility zone in our region. We will pursue a more active policy.''
Informing about his recent tour to Middle East countries, Gul said, ''I congratulated Palestinian people as they held an appropriate, clear and transparent election. Actually there is a very different atmosphere in Middle East and everybody is more hopeful for peace. .''
(to be continued)
(GC-ULG)
2005-01-11