Tuzmen Says They Are In An Effort To Do What Is Required By Turkey's Interests

ISTANBUL - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Wednesday they were in an effort to do what was required by Turkey's interests.
State Minister Tuzmen and an accompanying businessmen delegation left for Algeria to participate in 4th Turkish Exports Products and First Turkish Construction Fair within the scope of Turkish Days activities in Algeria.
When asked how Turkey's foreign trade would be effected, Tuzmen said, ''we have included the neighboring countries and regional countries as a whole in our strategy.''
Tuzmen said overcoming of the crisis in the region was a joint wish of everybody, but that they could not wait for the crisis to end to continue their efforts.
Responding to a question asking how Turkey's undertaking a role actively in intervention against Iraq would effect trade between the Islam countries and Turkey, Tuzmen said, ''we should act with the facts we have. Our efforts will continue increasingly at this stage. It is not possible to lead anywhere by producing alternative scenarios. Turkey's exports can not wait more. It will have negative or positive effects. We have had experienced those in the past. If you live in a geography like Turkey's, you should be prepared against every kind of crisis, but you should continue your efforts increasingly. Today, with the efforts it expended, Turkey became a country determining agenda. All the world consider Turkey's approach as calm and wise. We are trying to do what is required by Turkey's national interests. We should strengthen our foreign trade while expending those efforts. We may experience similar crises in future. Everybody living in this geography should be prepared against this. It will be easier to overcome crises if you enter the crisis with a strong economy.''
(AY-AÖ) 19.02.2003