WASHINGTON - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Monday that strategical partnership between Turkey and the United States would give the opportunity of realization of comprehensive cooperation between two countries on the basis of common interests, shared ideas and principles.
Sending a message to the conference of American-Turkish Council (ATC) which will start today in Washington, Sezer said, ''our joint efforts to strengthen values such as democracy, basic freedoms, human rights and supremacy of law bring Turkey and the United States closer to each other which are countries of democratic and free world in a milieu that is continuously changing in global means. In the distinction of history, the strategical partnership between our countries will give the opportunity of realization of comprehensive cooperation in some fields on the basis of common interests, shared ideas and principles.''
Sezer said, ''the rapid and full integration of Turkey, which is an institutionalized democracy on the point where Europe, Caucasia, Central Asia and Middle East intersect, with the European Union (EU) will give the opportunity to Europe-Atlantic society to have a creative role in restoring peace and interaction with outer world. On the basis of our alliance of a half century, our faith in our cooperation with the United States especially in fight against terrorism will continue on a successful path. However, we have to intensify our energy to assure the future strength and success of our strategical partnership. I believe that the positive milieu which is provided with the economic program and reforms that are implemented in Turkey will have a positive contribution to Turkish-American economic and commercial relations.''
Sezer congratulated members of ATC, American Friends of Turkey, Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and Turkish-American Business Council for their contribution to development of Turkish-American relations.
(GC-UK) 05.04.2004