TURKEY IS A CONFIDENT AND PRESTIGIOUS COUNTRY FOR ITS ALLIES IN ITS REGION AND A KEY COUNTRY BEING BEWARED BY OPPONENT COUNTRIES IF ANY

AK Party Vice-Chairman Egemen Bagis said that Turkey's enthusiasm for EU has not declined and that regional political initiatives are not an alternative for the EU membership, instead these initiatives are complementary of EU.

Bagis addressed to the General Assembly of the Parliament during the budget negotiations of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He expressed that Turkey is a confident and prestigious country for its allies in its region and a key country being bewared by opponent countries, if any.

Bagis emphasized that the aim of AK Party is to make Turkey a regional power and an active global actor. 'We aim to realize the Turkey's regional power and efficiency for regional as well as national peace and for the development of Turkey. Our aim is to be a determinant actor on the regional developments rather than being a defendant - one. This target is based on three issues: regional peace, global peace and Turkey's national interest.' he said.

Bagis added that the negative image of Turkey has changed. It has become a favored negotiator that has a voice in the developments in the region, a country asked for help, and esteemed by international community. Turkey was elected to the UN Security Council Temporary Membership after 47 years. 30 years ago UN Security Council declared Turkey as 'occupant' in Cyprus and announced that Turkey should abandon Cyprus. Today the same UN Security Council is saying to Turkey 'Come, show us the path and the light'. So they are confessing now that they conducted unfairly in Cyprus issue. For the first time, the Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) has elected a Turkish general secretary. We have shown the world that our co-sponsorship in the Project of Alliance of Civilizations was not a coincidence.'

Egemen Bagis also expressed that AK Party was the only political party attending the Democrat Party Congress in Denver, USA where the nomination of President-elect Barack Obama became official. He emphasized that the new US government was informed about Turkey's sensitivities. He said that Turkey has built up the necessary contacts with key US officials and will continue working on strategic partnership between two countries.

Bagis underlined that Turkey's full membership process of EU started in November 3, 2005 and that AK Party is determined to finalize this process.

'Our EU enthusiasm has not declined and regional political initiatives are not alternative to EU, but complementary. Therefore, we are planning to implement 438 arrangements of which 129 are legal and 309 secondary in the forthcoming period. We would also remind our EU colleagues that we expect them to hold their promises and Turkey's only aim is full membership and we are not open to any other formulas in between.' He added.