Turkey's chief focus is always human, not land, oil: PM

By Mumin Altas

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia

Turkey has no interest in the oil, minerals, natural gas, or lands of other countries, as its chief focus is always "human," Turkey’s prime minister said on a state visit to Mongolia on Friday.

"When you look at the countries coming to the Middle East, you see petroleum in their eyes. In Africa, you see diamonds, minerals, natural gas, [but] you can’t see humans, unfortunately," Binali said at Mongolia’s State National Administration Academy, where he received an honorary doctorate.

Pointing to the deep-rooted ties between Mongolia and Turkey, Yildirim said although formal diplomatic relations date back 50 years, the two countries share a much longer history.

Turks originally migrated from Asia to the West, and the culture and languages of the two countries are very close to each other, he said.

"We, as Turkish and Mongolian officials, are making great efforts to carry our deep-rooted historical partnership to the present day," Yildirim said, voicing his wish to further boost bilateral, economic, and cultural ties.

Yildirim also attended an inauguration ceremony for projects carried out by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in the country

On day one of his two-day visit, Yildirim met Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga, Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, and Parliament Speaker Mieygombo Enkhbold.

During his meeting with Ukhnaa, Yildirim said: "We are pleased that you see Turkey as a third neighbor in your foreign policy. Next year we will be celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties. We consider this 50th year an important opportunity for the development of relations between the two countries."

Looking to boost ties, Turkey and Mongolia signed seven different agreements in such areas as agriculture, transportation and communication technologies, disaster management, and migration.

Yildirim is accompanied on his visit by Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu, Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmus, and Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan.