ANKARA - Both Turkey and the U.S. are for a stable Iraq that can control its borders, said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce David Sampson on Wednesday, adding both countries have similar concerns regarding terrorism.
Turkey's Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu received Sampson and an accompanying delegation in his office.
Sampson answered questions regarding trade relations with Turkey prior to his meeting with Hisarciklioglu.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce said Turkey attracts direct foreign investment in recent years, however the commercial and industrial relations between the two countries have not met their full potential yet.
Sampson is to meet representatives from private sector and the government during his visit in Turkey.
On the other hand, U.S. ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson who delivered a speech at the meeting, reaffirmed U.S support for Turkey's fight against terrorism, saying every country has the right to defend its citizens against terrorism.
Wilson said they are actively in contact with Iraqi officials, in order to avoid northern Iraq to become a base for terrorists and stop terrorist attacks from there.
On the other hand Hisarciklioglu said "Turkey's share in the worlds's biggest market (which is the USA) is only 3 percent. There is a large unused potential in commercial and economic relations between the two countries," he added.
"Turkey is the 17th biggest economy in the world, as of the end of 2006 and grows at a rate of 7.5 percent annually, in average," Hisarciklioglu said.
-GUL RECEIVES SAMPSON-
Meanwhile FM and Deputy PM Abdullah Gul received David Sampson in his office.
The meeting was held behind closed doors.