ANKARA: Turkish Envoy To Britain Denies Turkey’s Ties To East Pose T

TURKISH ENVOY TO BRITAIN DENIES TURKEY’S TIES TO EAST POSE THREAT TO WEST

Anadolu Agency
Oct 26 2010
Turkey

London, 26 October: Turkey’s ambassador in London has rejected a
European perception that his country’s relations with countries to
the East posed a threat for the West.

“If Turkey’s vision on the East is seen as a threat for the West,
then this is called purblindness. If the European Union wants to be a
global power, it definitely needs Turkey’s partnership,” Unal Cevikoz
told reporters when responding to questions in a London conference
on Turkey-Azerbaijan relations.

Cevikoz said the EU should develop an understanding that Turkey’s
growing relations with its neighbours in the region was an asset for
the EU itself.

Cevikoz also rejected claims that Turkey’s course of foreign policy
shifted to the East from its traditional Western orientations, saying
Turkey aimed at establishing a “zero-problem neighbourhood policy”.

Touching on Turkey’s EU prospects, Cevikoz said the Cyprus issue
was one of the obstacles against Turkey’s accession, adding that the
union “made a huge mistake by saying ‘yes’ to the EU membership of
the Greek Cypriot side, which said ‘no’ to the Annan Plan in 2004”.

“However, Turkey should pursue the EU goal with more determination. We
have embarked on this journey 47 years ago and we can wait for a few
more years,” he said.

On Turkey’s relations with Armenia, Cevikoz said Turkey’s efforts
for the normalization process with Armenia had aimed at adding a new
momentum to talks over the Karabakh issue, as well as maintaining
a regular and sustainable course of relationship between Ankara
and Yerevan.

“Turkey’s efforts for normalization with Armenia should be considered
within this framework. Nothing can negatively affect the brotherhood
and understanding between Turkey and Azerbaijan,” Cevikoz said.

From: A. Papazian