EU acknowledges Turkey's star is rising
European foreign affairs ministers pose for a family photo during the EU Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers at the Egmont Palace in Brussels, September 11, 2010.
Foreign ministers from European Union member states have convened to mend strained ties with Turkey, acknowledging Ankara is becoming a key player on the global stage.
Chairing the foreign ministers' meeting on Saturday, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the talks held in Brussels were held to recognize that Turkey as a non-member is already "a partner with us in lots of issues around the world."
Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb highlighted Turkey's growing influence in the international arena as "one of the top five countries in the world today" in terms of foreign policy.
"Arguably, today Turkey is more influential in the world than any of our member states together or separately," the Associated Press quoted Stubb as saying.
"It has a great influence in the Middle East, in the Horn of Africa, in the Persian Gulf, in Iran. It's a truly global player and we need to work together with Turkey right now on foreign and security policy," he added.
Turkey has been seeking to gain accession to the 27-member European bloc since 2005 but its EU membership bid has been thwarted by vehement opposition from key members France and Germany.
Turkey's key meditating role in issues like the Middle East peace process, Israel-Syria relations, Iran's nuclear program, and Bosnia has compelled the European Union to work with the Eurasian nation despite the prolonged accession process.
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