EDITOR’S Note: With China’s Belt and Road initiative getting wind in its sails, many countries along the B&R are drawn to this project by the prospect of better connectivity and regional integration. Turkey — as a country spanning East and West — is no exception. The 11th president of Turkey and a venerable politician in the world, Abdullah Gül sat down with Shanghai Daily staff writer Ni Tao in an exclusive interview and shared his thoughts on the B&R, Turkey’s regional role and his own career on the sidelines of the recently closed Shanghai Forum.

SD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged all-out support for the B&R when attending a summit in Beijing in May. What role can Turkey play in fostering the B&R?

Gül: Yes President Erdogan attended this meeting and met other world leaders. This project is very ambitious of course. It starts from China and goes through all of Europe. All the countries on this Belt and Road find something from themselves that they can contribute.

The main importance of this project is connectivity. And it’s very comprehensive connectivity, not only about roads; the key point is all kinds of transportation, sea, land, air.

The old Silk Road passed through Turkey, and Turkey is injecting new vigor into it.

For example, among the many projects that are underway in Turkey, one is a railway connecting Turkey to Central Asia. It starts from Istanbul and goes through Turkey, to Georgia and Azerbaijan. The meeting between the presidents of the three countries in 2008 laid the ground for building such a railway. It is about to finish.

Meanwhile, there is another railway project going on, one that will link Baku and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are building their parts. Once the railways are completed, Istanbul will be connected with all the European countries and Central Asia. And we are also building expressways from Gaziantep to Baku, and then to Ashgabat.

SD: Many countries along the B&R have come up with their strategies to connect with China’s B&R. For example, Turkey’s is called “The Middle Corridor.” How can they come together, B&R and “The Middle Corridor”?

Gül: The Chinese Belt and Road extends from Beijing to the end of Europe. If all the countries embrace this, the B&R will boast truly global connectivity.

As I said, the many ongoing railway and expressway projects connecting Turkey with Central Asia are an emblem of that connectivity. So Turkey is already connecting itself in its own way with the B&R initiative.

And we should also remember that historically Turkey is an important node of transportation on the ancient Silk Road, so that makes it a natural part of today’s Belt and Road.

Of course, China and Turkey have to work out solutions to a series of practical issues. China is very much interested in some railway projects in Turkey. Negotiations are going on for financing of the projects.

SD: Will occasional instability inside Turkey inhibit its aspirations to a bigger role in B&R as well as in other projects of regional integration?

Gül: I believe that the chaos is temporary.

The repercussions of the Syrian conflict are very clear. Turkey became home for more than 3 million refugees. And this has an impact on our economic development.

But the main projects inside Turkey are well financed and operated. Therefore, Turkey is not facing any problems to get funding for these huge projects.

For instance, some very important tunnels are being built for the first time in history with the purpose of linking Europe and Asia under the sea. These tunnels, once completed, will not only be used for transporting cargo. They will also allow vehicular traffic.

Of course there are practical issues that have impacted on the private sector and investment climate. We used to receive huge foreign investments from the West and East. We see them now slow down. But I believe the pains are temporary.

SD: One of the biggest concerns among Chinese investors regarding B&R is that it goes through some of the so-called volatile regions. To what extent will security issues jeopardize the B&R?

Gül: Well, the region has huge potential to begin with.

Historically it is one of the most important regions in the world. China as a huge power definitely has its interests and connections in that part of world.

But China cannot ignore that opportunities entail risks.

It cannot simply say, “Oh, that area should be stable and devoid of security problems, and then I will have investments there.” This is impossible for a huge and important country.

China definitely will not turn a blind eye to risks in investment, but it will make calculations realistically.

I believe that the problems are temporary, at least in Turkey. It is a part of Europe as well as a member of the European Union Customs Union. Turkey is well aware that stability in the region matters for Turkey. Therefore Turkey will help the region to reach the stability.

SD: Turkey’s relationship with the US and Russia appears to be heading for a rapprochement. How will that help Turkey exert greater influence in regional affairs?

Gül: Turkey is a member of NATO from the very beginning.

The United States is one of our main strategic allies. But this doesn’t mean we will not have any differences from time to time. Administrations in the US and Turkey might have different views on certain issues.

This happened before, for instance, in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

At that time, Turkish parliament did not approve of this, since there was no UN Security Council decision. So the differences always exist, but the main direction is good.

Russia is our neighbor historically. And of course it’s good to have good relationships with your neighbors. We used to have a tense relationship because of the Cold War. But now we have a wonderful relationship.

Unfortunately there was this incident in which we shot down the Russian plane. Its identity was not known at that time. This was tragic but later on both sides agreed to move on. We repaired our ties.

SD: Looking back on a career spanning several decades, what would you consider your biggest achievements and biggest regrets?

Gül: I’m always proud that Turkey’s soft power was really strengthened under my leadership. The democratic and legal systems were upgraded. Practical diplomatic solutions to regional problems were sought.

These changes also brought about economic successes and growth, because without soft power, you cannot really achieve economic successes. These goals go hand in hand.

And within the AKP, I was a very influential figure. I am very proud of this.

For a politician and statesman, definitely there would be many disappointments. One of them was the Kurdish problem.

Although we worked hard — not only myself but also my friends — and at some point we came close to settling the problem, unfortunately it still persists.