Turkish ambassadors to convene for brainstorming

Turkey will bring home all of its ambassadors serving in foreign countries to participate in brainstorming sessions on foreign policy in Ankara, officials have said. The future of Turkish foreign policy will be discussed at the meetings, expected to take place with the participation of over 100 ambassadors. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ertuğrul Apakan are both expected to attend the talks, which will begin July 14. The brainstorming sessions come as Turkey mediates between Syria and Israel, restarting peace efforts that collapsed in 2000. Ankara is also busy with its troubled bid to join the European Union and regional issues such as relations with Armenia and the Cyprus problem. Diplomatic sources say the increasing diversification in foreign policy issues requires a multifaceted approach... [read full story]