Erdogan: We Have Observed That U.S. Officials Also Wanted To Further Deepen Relations Between Turkey And The United States

ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, ''during our visit to the United States, we have observed that U.S. officials well-assessed Turkey's current and future role both in its region and in the world, and wanted to further deepen bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States.''
Holding a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport after his return from the United States, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''as you know, I paid an official visit to the United States upon invitation of U.S. President George W. Bush. During the visit, I held very comprehensive and beneficial talks with President Bush and with the other high-level U.S. officials. Ministers, deputies, bureaucrats, businessmen and journalists, who accompanied me, had a very intense program in the United States. We had the opportunity of holding talks with Turkish and American businessmen and with representatives of Turkish community in the United States.''
''Our businessmen held a series of meetings with U.S. businessmen acting in the same sector with them. I believe that these talks will yield positive results soon,'' he said.
Recalling that he had met with U.S. President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Prime Minister Erdogan said that he had also held talks with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush's National Security Advisor Rice.
Noting that he had also come together with directors and representatives of finance circles including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Prime Minister Erdogan reminded that he had the opportunity of delivering speeches at U.S. think-tank organizations and universities.
Pointing out that he had held meetings with leaders of Jewish institutions and the Archbishop of the U.S. Greek-Orthodox Church, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''during the luncheon hosted by President Bush, we discussed bilateral relations, and several international and regional issues prior to the NATO Summit to be held in Istanbul in June.''
(UK-AÖ) 01.02.2004