The accession to the EU remained a priority for Turkey, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said in an interview with Reuters.
Gul said the issue had become "politicised" and that "artificial" barriers were delaying the process.
"Cyprus would be an example. Even though the Cyprus issue is quite obvious, certain parties are hiding behind it, using it as an excuse," he said. "We have started accession negotiations and we are very much determined to finish them," he said.
Turkey is also playing an increasing role in ex-Soviet states.
Turkey is also preparing to invest in Kyrgyzstan.
"It will be mainly economic and financial assistance. We are also carrying out various training programmes," he said.
Gul said the Turkish Cooperation Council, a new body that groups Turkic nations, would help strengthen ties with Central Asia, where Turkish firms are among the most active investors.
"During the Soviet regime, there was a wall built between these lands and us. We used to keep our feelings concerning this part of the world deep in our hearts," Gul said.
"Even though we speak a different dialect, we are speaking the same language. We have the same culture and the same faith."