'Turkey gives about as much in foreign aid as the US'

By Furkan Naci Top

TIRANA

Turkey's foreign minister on Thursday hailed Turkey's efforts at humanitarian aid, comparing $8 billion in Turkish aid in 2017 to $6-7 billion in aid from the U.S., which has the world's largest GDP.

"Turkey is at the highest level in humanitarian aid. Last year we spent $8 billion and the U.S. -- the richest country in the world -- spent $6 or 7 billion," Cavusoglu said in the Albanian capital Tirana, at the University of New York Tirana's school year opening ceremony.

"I'm just giving an example. In 2016, the U.S. spent $6.3 billion while Turkey spent $6 billion. The U.S. was first, Turkey second."

Founded in 2002, the University of New York Tirana was Albania's first private university, and Turkey's Maarif Foundation (TMV) assumed stewardship of the school this August.

Cavusoglu said Turkey is dealing with many problems in the region such as terrorism and migration and underlined Turkey's efforts for 3.5 million Syrians and more than a half million migrants from other countries.

International institutions must be transformed to be more comprehensive and representative, he also argued.

"International institutions and systems should be more visible and more effective. They need to be reformed," said Cavusoglu.

"Which policy of the European Union is satisfactory for the Western Balkans? Can the UN represent the world of today? No.

"Comprehensive? No. Representative? No. Can it prevent any conflict? No.

"Can the UN bring solutions to any problems or conflicts today through peaceful negotiations and mediation?"

Turkey has long pushed for the UN Security Council to be larger and more representative of the entire world.