Turkey voices important initiatives to ensure peace and stability in regions such as the Middle East, the Balkans and the Caucasus, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said at a regional partnership summit in Istanbul, the Russian office of the state TV channel TRT reported.
He said that Turkey establishes close contacts on regional issues.
"Turkey makes every effort to ensure peace, stability and development of welfare in the Middle East, the Balkans, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean region and Central Asia in connection with its geostrategic location and history. Our foreign policy is aimed at implementing these objectives. So, the important events are held to turn Istanbul into political, economic, financial and diplomatic center, " Gul said.