Turkey's Gul anticipates 'new world order'

(LONDON) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul predicted "a new world order" of joint international action, in an interview published in Britain on Saturday.

He added that the conflict in Georgia shows the United States can no longer shape global politics on its own, and that it should start sharing power with other nations.

"I don't think you can control all the world from one centre," Gul told the Guardian newspaper in an interview.

"There are big nations. There are huge populations. There is unbelievable economic development in some parts of the world."

"So what we have to do is, instead of unilateral actions, act all together, make common decisions and have consultations with the world. A new world order, if I can say it, should emerge."

The comments appeared after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who visited Georgia on Thursday, pledged a regional initiative, looking at issues like economic cooperation and energy supplies.

Erdogan also met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday and stressed the "large importance" of regional solidarity.

Elsewhere in his interview, Gul said Turkey could play a key role in bridging the gap between Europe and turbulent areas, and that joining the European Union was Ankara's "main agenda".

Turkey achieving a free-market economy and high standards of democracy will help influence nations in the Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus, he added.

"Turkey is having a positive impact on them, spreading the values of democracy, freedom, rule of law," Gul said. Also the economic changes here... are admired. Maybe that is the indirect influence of this country."