This allegation is still used in a way that renders difficult the normalization of Armenia s external relations, as well as a balanced approach to the issue . On the basis of her close cultural ties and affinities with Central Asian countries, Turkey attaches high priority to the development of her relations with the region. She was the first country to recognize the independence of these new states and she immediately offered to share with them her experience in democracy and free market economy. The challenge here is to further consolidate the political and economic gains of these countries. The mobilization of their rich natural and human resources requires international cooperation and investment.
Turkey is a capital exporting country in the region.
The total value of credits extended by Turkey to the five Central Asian republics is above 1.5 billion US Dollars. More than 7 billion US Dollars worth of projects have been undertaken by over 200 major Turkish companies. Moreover, Turkey s technical and educational assistance to the region includes more than 10.000 scholarships and training opportunities for university students and public officials. With regard to the transportation of the oil and gas reserves of the Caspian Sea area, the route across eastern Turkey, connecting the energy fields to the Mediterranean, offers the most direct, cost-effective, technologically and environmentally feasible and safe option. On the other hand, the transportation of this large volume of oil by tanker through the narrow and congested Turkish Straits is not a sustainable option.