Turkey's interest in forging closer ties with the peoples of Central Asia is driven by many considerations. First, we share historical, linguistic, religious, and cultural bonds with these republics. Turkey, for her part, is doing her best to engage them in closer cooperation with the west and to help them make the transition from the communist order to pluralistic democracies and market economies as smoothly as possible. Secondly, the region figures prominently in any discussion of world energy supplies with its proven oil reserves. The transfer of Caspian and Central Asian oil and gas to world markets will ensure long-term stability in the supply of this vital resource, while, at the same time, diversifying the sources of such supply.
Turkey is the most likely overland route for transporting such oil and gas to western markets.
As a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, Turkey works hard to find a just and peaceful settlement to the Azeri-Armenian conflict. Azerbaijan has already accepted granting the widest possible measure of autonomy to Nagorno-Karabagh. We hope that the Armenian leadership will also demonstrate the will and vision to secure permanent peace. We see our bilateral relations with the USA as a tested, and enduring partnership. We believe our partnership continues to be important.