TURKEY'S ACCESSION WILL PROPEL THE EU TO THE FOREFRONT OF GLOBAL GEOPOLITICS, STRATEGIC AND POLICY

Exclusive interview of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mr. Abdullah Gul

Caspian Energy: Mr. Minister, what is your estimation of today's level of the mutual relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan?

Mr. Abdullah Gul: Turkey and Azerbaijan are two countries which share a common historical and cultural heritage. This common heritage lays the ground for a high level of cooperation between the two countries.

Turkey was the first country to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan and to develop close partnership relations with this country. We have been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in her efforts to overcome the difficulties it faced as a newly independent state.

Today, our relations continue to develop on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. We are neighbours on a difficult geography and we share common goals and aspirations for the future. We want our people to live in a secure, stable and prosperous environment where peace and co-operation reign and where conflicts no longer exist. These common and justified aspirations bring us even closer together.

Which agreements and contracts are basic in mutual relations of two countries, and what is the perspective of relations' further development?

Turkish-Azerbaijani relations continue to develop not only in the political field but in all spheres such as economy, trade, culture, education, military, agriculture, health, sports, science and tourism.

The legal framework of these relations is drawn by a number of bilateral agreements signed between the two countries. High-level contacts and reciprocal visits at different levels are being frequently realized.

Apart from the legal instruments laying the ground for co-operation, the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan signed during Mr. Aliyev's visit to Turkey last year a Political Declaration which testifies the wide scope of relations between the two countries and which also clearly underlines the political will to further promote bilateral and regional co-operation. We attach particular importance to this Declaration.

What's perspective by integration of Turkey in EU's geopolitical sphere? Which tendencies you can mention?

The decision of the EU Heads of State and Governments to start accession negotiations with Turkey in the recent European Council meeting that was held in Brussels on the of December was significant. We cannot underestimate this development.

We believe that Turkey's membership will be an asset and an advantage for the EU especially in terms of foreign, defense and security policy due to our strategic geography.

In fact, one should look at Turkey's goal of integration with Europe through a perspective of identical strategic interest.

Once we become a member of the EU, we will contribute to the Union not only with our own potential, but together with the strategic geography that we occupy. The EU will have further strategic depth and be a more active and influential global power. We will be mediators for the EU's efforts in providing a contribution beyond the Eastern Mediterranean, to securing peace, stability, security and welfare in Middle East, Caucasia and Central Asian regions. Turkey's membership to the EU will allow universally accepted Western values to be spread more easily in these regions. In fact, Turkey's accession will propel the EU to the forefront of global geopolitics and endow it with a genuine strategic concept and policy.

Turkey's membership in the European Union will demonstrate to the world that Islam and modernity can co-exist. It will also clearly exhibit that Christians and Muslims can live under the roof of the EU, on the basis of common values and interests. Consequently, it will positively influence the way in which the Christian and Muslim worlds identify with each other and strengthen the ground for dialogue and cooperation. It will also culminate the process of defining the EU's own identity which will then be a true "unity in diversity".

Moreover, access of the EU to markets in our geography will be facilitated with the completion of the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the secure transportation of petroleum and the natural gas of Caucasia and Central Asia to Western markets will be ensured. Thus, in terms of energy supply diversification our membership will be good news for the EU.

Policy or economy is major in co-operation with Caspian countries?

Caspian region has a growing strategic, political and economic significance. Energy projects transporting the Caspian Basin hydrocarbons to western markets will soon enhance the significance of the countries of the region.

Our policy towards these countries should be seen as part of our overall foreign policy of promoting an atmosphere of peace, co-operation and prosperity around Turkey.

We understand that there still exist differences between the countries of the Caspian Basin which hinder a wide ranging co-operation. We believe that ways and means should be sought to overcome these differences and to create an environment conducive to good-neighborly relations. We think that the region can assume a growing political role in line with its increasing economic and strategic importance

Thanks for your interview