Ankara to explain its foreign policy to Arab, Islamic states
Turkey, Politics, 1/6/1998

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Cem said that during 1998 he will explain Turkish-Israeli relations to the Arab and Islamic states in the framework of a new initiative in Turkish Foreign policy following the European Union's recent Luxembourg summit which refused to include Turkey in the list of countries nominated to join the EU.

In a statement to Turkish ITF TV, Cem said relations between Turkey and neighboring countries have changed following the cold war and that this change took place in the international balance of power when neighboring states could constitute no harm to Turkey, "Whereas these states now constitute a real threat to Turkey."

He added 1998 will be the year of searching for a Turkish identity, as Turkey should not stand still concerning foreign policy, rather it "should bridge gaps in its foreign relations."

Cem expressed Turkey's concern over the development of Palestinian - Israeli relations. Concerning Iraq and the Turkish incursion in its North, he said Turkey has embarked on evaluating this matter.

Previous Stories:
  Syria's Salman: Turkey's maneuvers are muscle-flexing targeting Arabs   (1/6/1998)
  Turkey - EU row   (12/15/1997)
  The Islamic Summit challenge: Iran, Turkey and the Arabs. Future conflict or peace?   (12/9/1997)

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