ISTANBUL
Turkish President Abdullah Gul has said his country's foreign policy was one of the reasons for a raising profile for Turkey in the international arena.
"Over the past few years, Turkey has become a country that draws more interest not only in its region but on the international arena as well. And one of the reasons for that is the foreign policy our country implements," Gul told a gala dinner for the Turkey-World Trade Bridge organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) in Istanbul on Tuesday.
Gul said in 2006 the overall number of Turkey's diplomatic missions were only 12 and the country had almost tripled that figure, opening 22 more embassies in Africa since then.
"Turkey lay solid foundations in its drive to boost its international relations in politics as well as in economy and trade," Gul said.
Gul said Turkey attached great importance to increase its trade all over the world, adding that economic relations were part of the political relations between countries.
"Our ambassadors are ordered to pay attention in economic activities as much as they do in political issues. And they follow that order very well by closely engaging in the Turkish companies doing business and investments outside Turkey, giving them all the help they need," Gul said.
