Gul: Transformation in Foreign Policy ‘Incredible’

"Our relationships with our neighbors are now in very good condition" said Gul. In an interview with the December edition of "Turkey’s Bulletin," an monthly journal published by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Gul elucidated some of the changes in Turkey’s foreign policy.

"Formerly, world leaders would rarely visit Turkey. They would postpone their visits because of so-called health problems, political instabilities, and economic crises. Now, however, Turkey hosts an esteemed representative from a foreign country almost everyday. When we visit abroad in return, we are welcomed as well" Gul said.

He lauded the dimension of the transformation, stating, "Some would not believe even they saw in their dreams" and said that Turkey has become a cynosure of whole world.

Minister Gul said that Turkey’s advances, taken on its way to the EU, surprised Europeans and reminded EU officials’ of their presumptions that Turkey could not accomplish assigned reforms.

"They did not believe that Turkey could accomplish radical reforms and clear away deep rooted problems on its way to the EU," said Gul. "That’s why they used to move at ease. When we accomplished political criteria, exposed efficiency in foreign policy and pursued an incredible strategy in Cyprus policy, the EU was surprised".

Gul again stressed: "One of the founding principles of the EU is to abide by a promise" and added that a rejection for Turkey would be a loss to the EU. The Foreign Minister furthermore highlighted that Turkey has regained hope for the future, bad macroeconomic indicators are in the past and everything now looks positive.

"If the same government used to continue, today we have been added three more zeroes to the Turkish Lira (TL)" he assessed.