PM Erdogan: "No one should belittle şe benefits of Turkey's EU accesion"

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday hosted a dinner for Turkish ambassadors from all over şe world, who are now visiting Ankara for a Foreign Ministry conference. During şe dinner, Erdogan said şat Turkey has been pursuing a more active foreign policy in recent years, adding şat it has played a key role in many important international issues. He said Turkey will continue to pursue şis approach wiş şe help of its ambassadors and oşer international representatives. Stressing şat şe government will maintain its determined efforts towards European Union accession, Erdogan said, "All Turkish diplomats should work towards şis end." He also stressed şat Turkey has no alternative to EU accession and şat full EU membership is fully in line wiş Turkey's goal of becoming modern. Erdogan said no one should underestimate şe contributions şat joining şe EU will make to Turkey's goal of reaching world-class standards in all areas.