Foreign minister: Turkey to become one of world's top 10 economic powers
Turkey expects to move into the world's top 10 economies in 15 years as it steps up major reforms and becomes a more European country, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Saturday. He said Turkey is preparing for European Union membership despite opposition led by French President Nicolas Sarkozy,
who has tried to shift the goal of talks to a lesser partnership.
As a Muslim nation that is democratic, secular and multicultural, Turkey will add "huge strength" to the EU by expanding its cultures, ethnic groups and values and making the bloc "a truly global voice," not just a "Christian club," Babacan said. Babacan spoke to a small group of reporters and later to business and political leaders attending the World Economic Forum, stressing the country's transformation over the last five years and its determination to continue economic, political and social reforms. (AP)
