Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered an opening speech at the fourth session of Parliamentary Assembly of Mediterranean (MAP), Turkish Iha website reports.

“If Turkey joins EU, EU will only benefit from it. Turkey’s membership means providing 1.5 bln Islamic world support. As of 2008 data, Turkey ranked 17^th among the steady-state world economies. This year it is expected to be 16^th. Turkish building contractors ranked second among 225 world countries, preceded by China only. Mediterranean Sea is our sea. All Mediterranean issues — are our concern. I adhere to the opinion that it will become a sea of peace and stability. I welcome your arrival in our beautiful Istanbul and wish you every success in your work,” Erdogan stated.