TMCnet News
Turkey plans to increase influence in Southeast AsiaISTANBUL, Dec 24, 2010 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Turkish foreign minister announced here on Friday that Turkey is ready to make serious efforts to increase its influence in Southeast Asia in the coming years. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made the statement while meeting with his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya in Istanbul on Friday evening. Both countries share similar geopolitical roles in their respective regions and share similar economic and population potential, said Davutoglu, emphasizing the need to strengthen bilateral ties. "Turkey will be making some serious initiatives in Southeast Asia soon," he added. Piromya said: "As we each have a central role to play in our respective regions, it is natural for us to be strategic partners. " He said both countries need resources complimented each other, and so the future of their relations was bright. He added that it was important next year to foster both private sector interaction, as well as a public relations campaign in both countries to familiarize the people. Thailand also offered to host future Alliance of Civilization events, an organization co-founded by Turkey and Spain to further inter-cultural dialogue, an offer Davutoglu readily accepted. |