Erdogan's Advisor: What Does Turkey Want in the Balkans?

ANKARA, (Patria) - Turkey's goal in the Balkans is not to expand its influence, but to ensure political stability, foster economic development, and support cultural and educational activities, wrote Turkish President's Special Advisor Ibrahim Kalin, assessing that a strong Turkey is good for the Balkans, and a stable and prosperous Balkans is good for Turkey and the world.

In an op-ed for "Daily Sabah", a pro-government English-language newspaper, Kalin stated that Turkey "opposes micronationalism of any kind" but also "foreign interference" and that "national and local issues should be led and resolved by local peoples and national authorities".

Under the title "What Does Turkey Want in the Balkans", Kalin stated that he tried to answer this question at a recent "important meeting" organized by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Ankara, adding that "there is no need to panic because the answers are good for everyone".

Full text available at Daily Sabah.