ANKARA - A delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives came to Ankara on Thursday to hold meetings as part of their tour to the region.
The delegation from U.S. House of Representatives headed by Jim Saxton, the chairman of the House Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee and a member of the Armed Services Committee, will hold meetings in Ankara on Thursday and Friday.
Speaking to reporters at Esenboga Airport, Saxton said that there were good relations between Turkey and the United states and stated that countries could have different views and they could have similar views from time to time with the changing world.
Stating that they were pleased with the decision of Turkey to send soldiers to Iraq, Saxton said that Turkey's cooperation and participation was important. Saxton added that they would work for solution of the issue which would satisfy both sides.
Jim Turner, a member of the delegation, said that the U.S. people welcomed the decision of Turkey to dispatch soldiers to Iraq and stated that they would focus on further development of relations between Turkey and the United States.
The U.S. delegation members will meet with Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener. The delegation will have a meeting with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal on Friday.
One U.S. Senate delegation headed by Senator Mitch McConnell is also expected to come to Ankara in the evening.
(EÖ-Öª) 09.10.2003