Turkey to increase EU efficiency, Gul saysJune 7, 2011 - 15:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish President Abdullah Gül has said Turkey's accession to the European Union is “a strategic imperative for the European integration project,” which he said “will no doubt increase the 27-nation bloc's efficiency, relevance and credibility.” The president's remark came as he was speaking to students at the College of Europe at Natolin, Poland, during his trip to the European Union member state. He said the EU with Turkey “will be much more influential in the Balkans, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Caucasus and the Middle East,” adding that Turkey's accession to the EU “will only help Europe find the role it deserves in this newly emerging global order.” According to Gul, Turkey “has much to contribute to the EU” so that it would not turn into what he warned earlier to be "an inward-looking organization" with its global influence and strategic outreach ending at the borders of its members. “An EU including Turkey will be more successful in dealing with both external and internal threats to Europe's security, and whatever challenges Europe may face, Turkey is a partner,” Gul assured. "We believe that Europe will never reach its full potential unless integration with Turkey materializes," he said. Gül also warned the 27-nation bloc against ignoring this "strategic imperative" and trying to keep Turkey out of the European integration process and said this means missing the "broader geostrategic picture," Today’s Zaman reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |