Simsek: "Turkey is an asset, not a Burden, for the EU"

Turkey is an asset for the European Union, not a burden, said Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek yesterday. In an interview with the BBC's Hardtalk, Simsek said that the EU currently lacks the "strategic vision" to look at Turkey from a different perspective. Asked by host Stephen Sackur whether Turkey is frustrated with the EU, the US and NATO, Simsek said, "It is true that Turkey is rediscovering its neighbors. That strengthens Turkey rather than weakening it." In a separate interview with CNN Europe, Simsek also spoke about the world economic crisis, saying, "The crisis affected us. But thanks to our healthy banking sector and low household debt rates, domestic demand swiftly recovered."