"Turkey: Closer Ties With Russia, Central Asia Sought
By
Media Watch
– December 2, 2010Posted in: Turkey
December 2, 2010
Turkey will seek a stronger relationship with Russia and Central Asian states, and plans to play a role in new energy supply routes to European countries, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Dec. 2, Reuters reported. Gul said Turkey is frustrated with the politicization of the EU accession process, and that while joining the bloc remains a priority, Turkey plans to strengthen ties with Central Asia. He said it hopes to become an alternative energy route for Europe transit oil and natural gas from Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East as well as Iran if the political environment allows it. He added that Russian-Turkish ties had helped deal with the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ankara plans economic assistance for Kyrgyzstan. He also said the Turkish Cooperation Council will strengthen ties with Central Asia, and that the end of the Soviet Union has enabled partnerships with neighbors with which it shares a culture and faith."
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