The single biggest challenge facing the world today is the fact that threats to peace and security are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and unpredictable. In such a volatile environment, Turkey has been actively using her diplomatic, political and economic assets for the improvement of the human condition and containment of deadly conflicts. Turkey , with a multitude of opportunities, is poised to become a significant player in the coming decades. Contemporary Turkey aspires to join the European Union as a full member and to be a leading economic and political actor in Eurasia. Turkey will achieve these goals, and more, to the extent that we acknowledge the 21st century as an age of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These will be the fundamental criteria by which success and progress are measured. To the extent that we develop rationalism, productivity and social justice as elements that complement one another and to the degree that we mobilize all the advantages that history, culture, and economics bestow upon Turkey, these goals will become more attainable.