Distinguished Members of the Chicago Council On Global Affairs,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all; and thank you for coming to our Ministry.

It has always been a pleasure for me to exchange views on current global issues with prominent minds, like yourselves.

I am familiar with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs since my years in Chicago and greatly appreciate its contribution to the intellectual and political agenda on a wide range of global topics for over 90 years.

I know that you have a tight schedule. So I will concisely point out to the general aspects of our foreign policy.

After my remarks, my colleagues will brief you in detail about the Turkish foreign policy.

Dear Guests,

We are living in extraordinary times, since the pace of history has accelerated.

The change is breaking down the old habits and it forces us to adapt to a new set of mind.

In Abraham Lincoln’s words “The dogmas of the quite past are inadequate to the stormy present.”

The Middle East and North Africa is subject to disorder and instability; and people’s quest for more democracy, freedom and dignity is not expected to culminate in near future.

At the same time, the economic turmoil is still shaking Europe and I think it would not be an overstatement to say that the future of the European Union is at debate.

Asia on the one hand is steadily increasing its weight in world economics and politics.

Africa on the other hand is making impressive strides towards attaining sustainable development. The opportunities, which Africa is providing have become more attractive than ever.

Dear Guests,

Turkey, located at the epicenter of the three continents is also a focal point of all key developments.

Our economic, political, social, cultural, historical ties with countries in our region and beyond make us an integral part of the changes taking place on the global stage.

With a predominantly Muslim population, Turkey is unique among its neighbors in having achieved a secular and democratic state.

Turkey aims to establish a balanced relationship with all global and regional players while advocating peace, stability, security and economic development.

Our fundamental principle, which is enshrined in Atatürk’s dictum “Peace at Home, Peace in the World”, remains central to all our efforts.

It entails first and foremost the creation of a belt of peace and security around Turkey.

In line with this goal, we pursue a proactive and multi-dimensional foreign policy.

We support multilateralism and we are committed to the effective promotion of universal values such as human rights and democracy.

Within the last ten years change has also happened in Turkey. Turkey has undertaken important political, economic and social reforms.

Currently, Turkish economy is one of the most dynamic and robust in its region.

Presently, Turkey is the 6th largest economy in Europe and 16th in the world.

Though there is ample room for improvement, our democracy inspires many in our neighborhood and constitutes the backbone of our growing soft power.

Turkey is a source of inspiration for all the people, who desire a life in dignity and democracy in the Middle East and North Africa.

Seizing this opportunity we have established closer political and economic links with these countries.

Starting with neighbors, we have established High Level Cooperation Councils and signed Free Trade and Visa Exemption Agreements.

However, as an emerging power Turkey’s foreign policy cannot be confined to its immediate region.

Turkey has evolved from being a flank country of NATO to a central player with increasing engagements all over the world.

More importantly we have become one of the major players within the UN. In 2008, after almost half a century, Turkey was elected to the UN Security Council as non-permanent member for the period of 2009-2010.

Turkey announced once again its candidacy for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for the period of 2015-2016.

Our growing humanitarian assistance to those in need, ranging from Somalia to Syria, Myanmar to Gaza are only a few examples of our global commitments and human-oriented diplomacy.

Turkey’s humanitarian and development assistance exceeded 2 billion USD last year.

Today Turkey hosts close to 400 thousand Syrians, half of them in the camps near the border.

We have so far spent more than 600 million US Dollars to accommodate their basic needs.

We will continue to support the Syrian people in their rightful struggle for dignity.

Furthermore, in recent past, Turkey has intensified its relations also with African, Asian and Latin American countries.

In line with its new foreign policy vision, Turkey has increased its diplomatic missions abroad to 209. Currently Turkey ranks 9th in the world in terms of the number of diplomatic missions. Within a couple of years we will be among the top 5 countries.

Equally important is also the increase of the number of diplomatic missions in Turkey. In 2002, there were 148 missions accredited in Turkey, whereas now the number of foreign missions in Turkey has reached 242.

These figures reflect the interest of other countries in Turkey, as a regional and global player.

Dear Guests,

Seizing this opportunity, I would also like to comment on Turkish-US relations.

President Obama described Turkish – US relations as a “Model Partnership” during his visit in 2009.

Our countries cooperate in a broad geography, covering Iraq, the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia.

Turkey and the US share similar positions on critically important issues such as counter-terrorism, energy security, nuclear non-proliferation and global economic developments.

This complementary character of the relations is the guarantee of the sustainability and the further development of the relations.

High level visits between the two countries are carried out frequently. President Gül visited the US to attend the NATO Chicago Summit in May 2012 and I had the honor to accompany Our President.

Former Secretary of State Clinton visited Turkey in June and August 2012. Recently, Secretary Kerry paid two visits to Turkey in a very close span of time on 1-2 March and on 6-7 April 2013. He is expected to come again on Saturday, April 20th.

I am sure that the upward trend that we have sustained in the past years in Turkish-American relations will continue in the period ahead.

Dear Guests,

As the international system shifts to competing centers of power, Turkey is well-positioned to thrive. Our geographic, demographic, and historical uniqueness allow us considerable flexibility in our relations with others.

Furthermore our status as a successful democracy in the Middle East combined with a surging economy and an increasingly confident leadership may just see the country grow into the role of regional powerbroker in the coming years.

Now, I would like to conclude my remarks and give the floor to my colleagues.

I thank you all for visiting us and hope that you have productive meetings during your stay in Turkey.