Annan: "Turkey's role in the international arena is crucial"

Turkey's role in the international arena has increased substantially and its voice is important in bringing the perspective of Islamic countries to this arena, according to Ghanaian diplomat and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. "I [hope] reforms will continue in Turkey and that it will negotiate in international institutions where global issues are discussed," Annan said in a speech delivered Tuesday at the Leaders of Change Summit in Istanbul. Turkey's voice is important because it is one of the large Islamic countries that brings these countries' perspectives and dimensions to the international arena, he added. "Turkey is an interesting and dynamic country that has gone and keeps going through lots of changes. It is a country that struggles [between] East and West and that has a lot to offer," Annan said, adding that the country had used its European Union accession process to further reforms.