Cem: Turkey Has Two Targets

ISTANBUL, March 25 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Sunday that Turkey had two targets, noting that one was full membership to the European Union (EU), and the other one was to be a center to Eurasia.
Cem attended a lunch in the opening of a Conference held by East-West Institute Eurasia Strategy Group, based in the United States.
Cem, who made a speech at the opening of the conference, pointed out that Turkey supported the works of East-West Institute and that they would continue to expend support.
Cem said the institute, which has been set up 21 years ago, was very important with its dynamic structure.
''Turkey has two targets; one is to be a full member of the EU, and the other one is to be a center to Eurasia,'' Cem said, noting that Turkey wanted improve relations both with the EU and Eurasia.
''I believe the fact that the more our relations are positive with the EU, the more our relations would be positive with the Balkans and Eurasia,'' Cem stressed, and noted that thus Turkey's image would be better in the EU circles.
Cem said Turkey was one of the several countries situated both in Europe and Asia, and added that it was closer to Asia in historical and cultural means. ''There are many clashes in the region, there is intolerance toward religion. There is lack of radicalism and democracy. However, it is a region where there are international investments.''
Pointing out that Georgia was a key country in the region and that problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan was within the field of interest of Turkey, Cem said foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan would convene within two months, and discuss general issues. Cem said this was a positive development.
Cem said another important item on the agenda was Afghanistan, and voiced the seriousness of the problems in the country. Cem said, ''there are extreme elements, and radical elements in Afghanistan. There are lots of things to be done for the development of peace here. There are threats in the region. We should work very much to improve our situation.''
Stressing that Turkey had cultural historical ties with Central Asian republics, Cem said, ''I believe that we will contribute relations between the east and the west within the framework of our capacity.''
The conference is expected to end on Monday.