Edelman: Prosperous Turkey To Be Better Commercial Partner Of U.S.

ANKARA/BODRUM - U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelmann said on Friday that the U.S. regarded a powerful and dynamic Turkey as a guarantee for regional and world peace.
Addressing the Foreign Investors Meeting which brought together foreign and domestic capital investors with government officials in Bodrum town of western Mugla province, Edelman stressed that a growing and prosperous Turkey would be a better commercial partner of the U.S.
Edelman stated that important progress was recorded in the last two years due to the strong economic programme implemented by Turkey, adding that he was informed that the Turkish government was resolved to complete on time the sixth review with the IMF and to further speed up the reform process.
Edelman said that in commercial respect, the customs union which Turkey signed with EU limited the things that could be done in bilateral relations with the U.S., adding that the U.S. was open nevertheless to creative ideas which would be to the benefit of both sides.
Recalling that the U.S. would lift the quotas at the end of the year 2004 in textile sector, Edelman said that Turkish exporters had to consider seriously how they would compete with big producers like China in the U.S. market. Edelman suggested that Istanbul could be turned into a textile entrepot and management centre.
Referring to the issue of foreign investments, U.S. Ambassador said that U.S. firms and investors were not very comfortable in Turkey due to problems they faced in Turkey.
Edelman stated that Turkey and the U.S. had common interest in restoration of peace and order in Iraq, adding that stability in Iraq had positive effects on Turkish economy.
Edelman said that the U.S. purchased 150 million dollars of products and services from Turkey to meet the basic needs in Iraq, adding that the U.N. also purchased goods from Turkey. Noting that many Turkish companies acted as subcontractors in Iraq in infrastructure work, Edelman said that there were broad cooperation opportunities and potential in Iraq.
(Öª-AÖ) 19.09.2003