PM Erdogan: "Rather than a foreign policy shift, our vision has grown"

The scope of Turkish foreign policy has grown wider, and Ankara 's sensitivity over the lasting effects of Israel 's Gaza offensive is no sign of an axis shift but one of conscience, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday. Speaking to a gathering of Turkish diplomats in Ankara , he said he expects them to make greater efforts for European Union accession, the government's democratic initiative, and the fight against terrorism. "Seventy-two million citizens of the Turkish Republic trust you, and they know you best represent them and you will," he said. "You carry a great responsibility on your shoulders to carry Turkey into the future. The power of the Foreign Ministry is Turkey 's power in the world."