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International Crisis Group: Turkey no longer dependent on U.S. or EU

10 September 2010 [11:33] - TODAY.AZ
The International Crisis Group said that Turkey has changed greatly over the past two decades, becoming richer and more self-confident.
The International Crisis Group said that Turkey has changed greatly over the past two decades, becoming richer and more self-confident, no longer dependent on Washington or Brussels alone.

A report by the International Crisis Group --an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict-- said that the U.S. and EU states should put aside simplistic cliches about Turkey "turning East", "joining an Islamist bloc" or "turning its back on the West".

"Turkey's new foreign engagement has been first and foremost economic, with Christian and Muslim countries in Eurasia, the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East alike. The bulk of its trade and investment, its social, popular and educational connections, and the source of its intellectual and economic innovation all remain inextricably linked to EU states and the U.S." it said.

The report said, "Turkey has changed greatly over the past two decades, becoming richer and more self-confident, no longer dependent on Washington or Brussels alone. While Ankara should not exaggerate its own importance or capacities, its Western partners should recognise its genuine significance in its region and beyond and spend more time talking to it quietly, constructively and at high-levels. To this end, Washington and Ankara in particular might usefully consider establishing new mechanisms for regular dialogue and better coordination on the full range of their shared foreign policy interests, including in the Middle East."


/World Bulletin/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/regions/73284.html

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