WASHINGTON D.C. - A resolution was submitted to the U.S. Senate to say welcome to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently paying an official visit to the United States, and to highlight importance of Turkish-American relations.
Earlier, a similar resolution was submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gordon Smith of the Republican Party, who submitted the resolution, pointed out that the United States attributed great importance to Turkey.
Recalling that Turkey was a part of history of NATO against the former Soviet Union, Smith said that Turkey and the United States had been acting together in fight against terrorism.
Reminding that Turkey had carried out command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan for seven months, Smith reminded that Turkish and U.S. soldiers had been serving together in Iraq following the war.
Stressing that Turkey and the United States had been sharing the same ideals of democratic values and freedom, Smith said that Turkey was the great model of co-existence of the Islam and democracy.
Smith expressed his belief that Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to the United States would further improve strategic partnership between the two countries.
Joseph Biden of the Democrat Party and George Allen of the Republican Party are among the senators extending support to the resolution.
If the resolution is approved, it will express feelings of the Senate, and will not have the power of law.
(UK-AÖ) 29.01.2004