The Aspen Atlantic Group, chaired by former-US Secretary of State Madeline Albright, convened Friday in Turkish capital Ankara, discussing Turkey’s constructive role its region and beyond.

The Aspen Atlantic Group is an initiative of former serving North American and European foreign ministers, from across the political spectrum.

Through its members in-depth understanding of foreign policy, and continued influence as opinion leaders, members of parliament, and advisers to governments and political parties, the group addresses such issues as Iraq reconstruction, the fight against terrorism, Middle East peace, humanitarian intervention and reform of the transatlantic architecture.

Sixteen former foreign ministers attended this year’s meeting in TOBB, The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.

The issues of NATO, the European Union, Turkey's relations with its neighbors, Cyprus problem, energy diversification and G-20 were taken up at this year's meeting.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan addressed his colleagues at the meeting, mentioning that Turkey does not only works for conflict resolution in its region but also extends support for conflict prevention.

Foreign Minister Babacan said that Turkey aims at normalization of bilateral relations in the Southern Caucasus, between Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Babacan mentioned that a new geopolitical situation will emerge in the region in line with normalization of relations, adding that it is a complicated process.

Besides Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized a new dimension in Turkish foreign policy, which is mediating between countries in its region.

Receiving the Aspen participants, Prime Minister Erdogan voiced Turkey’s concerns regarding some EU Member States’ unconstructive stance on the Cyprus problem together with the Greek Cypriot Administration.