Article Abstract:
North Korea may be seeking to establish links with the outside world, and the leader, Kim Jong Il, has appeared at a Chinese function in North Korea. The North Korean foreign minister has also visited Vietnam anmd China, while the foreign minister of Italy, Lamberto Dini, has made an official visit to North Korea. North Korea could even be considering joining the ASEAN Regional Forum, of which South Korea is also a member. There is still concern in South Korea about threats by North Korea, despite a willingness to invest in improving relations between the two countries.
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Article Abstract:
The foreign minister of Turkey, Ismail Cem, wants Turkey to join the European Union (EU) despite his early opposition to Turkey developing links with western countries. He argues that he has not changed his views, and that Turkey has long been European, while European values relate to culural plurality, religious tolerance and democracy. He also sees Turkey as Asian, and sees the duality as a strength of Turkey. He has sought a stability pact in the north Caucasus to warn off Russia from involvement in regions south of Chechnya.
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Article Abstract:
It is vital that both Turkey and the European Union recognize as soon as possible that it is in their mutual interest to establish more positive relations. The Turks must become closer to the west if their system of government is not to collapse, while Europe needs Turkey as a buffer zone against turmoil to the east. Turkey must keep its armed forces out of the political process and show more willingness to accept the reunification of Cyprus. In return, the European Union must show that Turkey has a right to join.
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