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ANKARA: Minister praises good trade relations with neighbours

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  • ANKARA: Minister praises good trade relations with neighbours

    Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
    Jan 13 2007

    Turkey: Minister praises good trade relations with neighbours


    Istanbul, 13 January: "We have yielded results of our good relations
    with the neighbouring countries. We hope that it will be same with
    our relations with Armenia," Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy
    Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday [13 January].

    Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Provincial Office of the ruling
    Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul, Gul said: "Since the
    day we came to the political power, we have succeeded in increasing
    exports from 30-35bn dollars up to 85bn dollars. Our new target for
    exports is 100bn dollars. We have made a series of reforms in order
    to further strengthen democracy in Turkey. Those reforms were
    described as a 'silent revolution' in the world. As a result,
    Turkey's esteem has further consolidated in the international
    platform."

    "The rate of neighbouring countries in foreign trade rose from 3 per
    cent to 33 per cent. We have yielded results of our good relations
    with the neighbouring countries. We hope that it will be same with
    our relations with Armenia," he said.

    "We are determined to reach EU standards in all areas. Public opinion
    in the EU-member countries will understand Turkey's importance and
    future contributions in the course of time," he said.

    Referring to the Cyprus issue, Gul said: "The [self-declared] Turkish
    Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has gained both economic and
    political power during the political power of the AKP. Leaders of
    several countries held official talks with TRNC President Mehmet Ali
    Talat. A situation like de facto recognition has emerged."

    Touching on Turkey's Iraq policy, Gul said: "We attach great
    importance to our relations with Iraq. Turkey has fulfilled its
    responsibilities to provide stability in Iraq. However, there are
    gaps and mistakes in Iraqi constitution. It includes a number of
    uncertainties. We also attach great importance to protection of
    Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity. We have never
    intervened in Iraq's domestic affairs."
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