PM's top advisor: "A democratic, prosperous Arab world would strengthen Turkey's standing in the region"

Turkey would be strengthened, not weakened, by a more democratic and prosperous Arab world, said chief advisor to the prime minister Ibrahim Kalin late last week, rebuffing claims that Arab Spring has put Ankara in a difficult position. Speaking in Washington, at the second annual conference on Turkey organized by Washington Middle East Institute, Kalin said, "The main issues facing Turkey after its (June 12 general) elections are drafting a new constitution, the Kurdish issue, and European Union accession reforms." On the last subject, Kalin said that despite unfounded reports, Turkey has not abandoned its EU membership aspirations, and even recently established a new ministry for the EU.