ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on Tuesday with U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Eric Edelman.
Edelman replied questions of reporters after the meeting.
Speaking about dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq, Edelman said they knew that Turkey had its own decision taking process, and that they respected this process.
Edelman said they exchanged views with Erdogan on many issues, stating that they agreed to further improve bilateral relations in the future.
Edelman said they also discussed Turkey's reforms in European Union (EU) full membership process, some economic and regional issues, and noted that relations between the two countries should be further improved.
When a journalist asked whether or not Erdogan conveyed an uneasiness about the visit he would pay to Iran, Edelman said this was his first meeting with Erdogan, and noted that all the news reports alleged to be made earlier on this issue are totally baseless.
When asked whether or not dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq was brought onto the agenda at the meeting, Edelman said they discussed the issue in general terms. He said they mentioned the importance of reconstruction of Iraq within Iraq's territorial integrity, and that rights of all citizens in Iraq should be respected, and that every kind of terrorism stemming from Iraq should be put an end.
Edelman said Turkey had its own decision taking process on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq, stating that they respected this process and that they conveyed all the information that might help evaluations in decision taking process.
Replying a question whether or not elimination of terrorist PKK-KADEK organization from Iraq was discussed, Edelman said they discussed terrorism threat and the sufferings of Turkey because of terrorist activities of PKK-KADEK.
Edelman said they also discussed the talks which started between Turkey and the United States on Friday, stating that the talks could last long.
Edelman said they reiterated their targets to put an end to terrorism in Iraq.
(AY) 16.09.2003