Geographically, Turkey is partly in Europe and partly in Asia. She is a Eurasian country. But, she is also in the Middle East, on the Black Sea, in the Caucasus and Eastern Mediterranean. Throughout the history, Anatolian Peninsula had several influences, from the North, from the East, from the South and from the West. Islam, Christianity and Judaism lived side by side. Anatilia was used as a bridge by many peoples and Empires. There have been cultural interaction. This is our richness.

We are passing through a period of change of unprecedented pace, in which positive developments occur side by side with negative ones.

We see increased momentum towards regional cooperation and integration. Europe is now being united under the EU umbrella. This development, coupled with NATO enlargement, has expanded the zone of stability and prosperity on the European Continent. At the same time, Asia is being linked to Europe through new “silk roads”. Asia has a major forum with Europe-ASEM (Asia-Europe Meetings). An ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations ) Economic Community by 2020 has been agreed upon. Furthermore, efforts to build an “East Asia Community” have begun. At the same time, a web of bilateral and regional free trade agreements is being made across Asia. On the other hand, APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) aims free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific.

Turkey is located in a unique geography, at the epicenter of both positive, as well as negative developments.

The basic tenet of the Turkish foreign policy is “Peace at Home, Peace in the World” as put forth by the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, Kemal Atatirk.

Other basic principles of the Turkish foreign policy can be summarized as follows:

-Establishment and development of friendly relations with all states.

-Promotion of and participation in international and regional cooperation.

-Respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.

-Non-interference in internal affairs of other countries.

-Resolution of all disputes through peaceful means.

-Contribution to peace, stability and security.

Our ties with the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions constitute an important dimension of Turkish foreign policy. In this context, the EU accession process, the NATO alliance and relations with the US have traditionally been leading items on our foreign policy agenda. Our immediate goal is to commence accession negotiations with the EU by early 2005. With its European and Asian identity, Turkey’s membership in the Union will consolidate the links of cooperation and interaction between the European and Asian continents.

In our multi-faceted foreign policy, the Eurasian dimension occupies an equally important place. Furthering our relations and cooperation with the Asian countries, linking Europe and Asia through energy corridors and land routes, and the creation of new dynamics for regional cooperation are the main tenets of our Eurasian vision.

Turkey has also pioneered the creation of regional cooperation mechanisms, such as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Black Sea Four and the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO). As their names denote, the first two serve cooperation in the Black Sea basin, whereas the ECO extends through its membership to Central Asia.

During the last few years we have concentrated our energy on our relations with our immediate neighbours and by adopting “a problem solving” approach; have overcome differences that had set us apart in the past. This positive approach was also instrumental in the most recent developments with respect to the longstanding Cyprus issue.

On the other hand, Turkey’s vision in the 21st century is to achieve integration with Europe and become a leading country in her region. With this objective in mind, Turkey has been searching for new markets and networks within a broader spectrum extending from the Far East to Latin America.

Turkey is convinced that a liberal international trade system based on the principles of free competition, non-discrimination and elimination of barriers to trade are in the interest of the international community. Trade policies pursued by Turkey since the 1980s have pointed to such approach.

As a matter of fact, historically, Turkey and Asian countries have deep-rooted, close and friendly relations. This wide-ranged relationship contributes to the regional, as well as global peace, stability and prosperity. They see various regional and international issues from the same perspective. There is no political problem between Turkey and Asian countries.

These countries of the region play significant role in the global economy. The rate of economic growth during the last decades was unprecedented. The region has young, energetic, well-educated, trained and skillful population.

In addition to its economic importance, the Asia-Pacific Region has a particular geostrategic significance for global security and stability. The security issues are indeed interrelated. The security and stability of Asia-Pacific Region have repercussions on the security and stability of the other parts of the world. As a security-minded country, Turkey attaches also importance to this aspect of the Asia-Pacific Region.

Asia-Pacific Region is also emerging as a third significant economic power center in this millennium, together with the United States of America and the European Union.

The regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific are the concrete examples of the desire to create forums in order to exchange ideas, to strengthen political trust and to promote development and prosperity.

ASEAN, ASEAN Regional Forum and Shanghai Cooperation Organization are just few of them to mention.

In international affairs, the region has a political importance. In a world of globalization and multi-polarity, Asian nations do not only cooperate among themselves, but with the rest of the world as well.

In this context, APEC, ASEM, FEALAC (Forum for East Asia and Latin American Countries )and ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific)are playing important roles in creating an understanding between Asia and Europe as well as Asia and Latin America.

With all this in mind, Turkey is willing to have more developed relations with the Asia-Pacific countries.

It is also believed the Turkey’s approach for an enhanced relationship with the region will be reciprocated by Asia-Pacific countries due to the fact that Turkey’s geopolitical location at the gate of Europe as well as at the conjunction of three continents (Asia, Europe and Africa) and her special status within the European Union. These factors also provide an advantage for economic cooperation and trade relationship.