The series of meetings named “Trilateral Strategy Group” which will last for three years was organized by the German Marshall Fund, TUSÝAD, KOÇ Holding and the Swedish Foreign Ministry with the objective to discuss issues of interest for the US, Europe and Turkey.

The first meeting which was held under the topic “The Global Economic Crisis: Strategic Implications for Turkey, Europe and the U.S.” was attended by AK Party deputy chairman of foreign affairs and MP Suat KINIKLIOGLU and important bureaucrats, politicians and academics from Turkey, Europe and the US.

KINIKLIOGLU who gave a speech on the topic of “Geopolitical Implications for Turkey’s Neighborhood and Beyond” pointed out that Turkey’s mediating role in the Middle East and in Caucasia was part of a proactive foreign policy with the aim to contribute to stability and peace in the world.

While emphasising Turkey’s “neighbourhood policy” and Turkey’s increasing regional and global power KINIKLIOGLU added: “The principle of Turkey’s neighbourhood policy since 2002 is to reintegrate itself to its surrounding region. The proactive policy in this context brought about an increasing intensity in political dialogue, economic relations and cultural co operations. Thus the best indicator of the improving relations with our neighbours is the increase in our trade volume”

KINIKLIOGLU continued: “Turkey’s neighbourhood policy is not an alternative for our relations with Europe. It aims to reintegrate to a region which we have been part of since centuries while overcoming and solving diverse abnormalities lasting from the Cold War. This opening up to its closer surroundings is not mutually exclusive. The opposite is the case; our neighbourhood policy has a complementing and enriching quality.”