Babacan: "Turkey is a regional power and global actor"

Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Provincial Advisory Board in Ankara, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan yesterday said that Turkey was a regional power and a global actor. "There are circles which are bothered by Turkey's becoming a global actor. Such circles exist in Turkey, in Europe and in near geography. We will be aware of such circles, but our people will not be affected by provokers. We’ll not be deceived and we’ll altogether move forward in line with our goals. When we overcome these obstacles, we will feel the effects not only in Turkey, but also in very broad geography," Babacan noted. Stating that the countries located on western Turkey has been struggling against a deep economic crisis and the Middle Eastern and North African countries also suffered political stability, Babacan said that Turkey could have set targets for itself for the year 2023 even in such an environment.