When discussing European integration, I should underline the fact that becoming a full member of both the EU and WEU is one of my country's main objectives. I will try to put that objective into a strategic perspective in terms of what we are trying to build for the next century. We believe that Turkey has the necessary assets to become a leading actor in Eurasia - that is to say, in the new, emerging reality which encompasses large parts of Asia and Europe. Those are the two preconditions for being able to play a strategic role in Eurasia, and they are the two paths on which we are making progress. In fact, Turkey's pivotal location in Eurasia is the result of historical and contemporary factors.
Turkey encompasses both the European and the Asian dimensions.
On the other hand, Turkey's history, geography and culture are also Asian, and Turkey is strongly rooted in Asia. This multi-dimensional, historical and cultural asset has been further enhanced by the recent strategic and economic developments worldwide and in Turkey. The post-cold war political framework witnessed the birth or reappearance of several independent states. It is interesting to note that this change brought to 26 the number of countries with which Turkey has lived for centuries as part of the same political entity. These recent developments have provided Turkey with a new international environment of historical and political dimensions.