WASHINGTON - U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers on Tuesday resembled Turkish-U.S. relations to marriage. He said Turkey and U.S. have good relations in bilateral and NATO level, noting that efforts were needed to be exerted to maintain a relationship as it happened in marriage.
Speaking at a dinner hosted within the 23rd conference of American-Turkish Council (ATC), Gen. Myers evaluated Turkish-U.S. relations.
Myers said further cooperation, communication and information were needed between the two countries. Myers also stressed that Turkey was a secular and democratic country.
Mentioning fighting of Turkey and the United States against terrorist PKK and Al Quaida organizations, Myers said European Union (EU) accepted PKK as a terrorist organization and that this was an important development.
Gen. Myers said Turkish-U.S. alliance had never been so important against new threats, and noted that U.S. army fulfilled its biggest military rotation since the Second World War. Myers said the United States appreciated cooperation of Turkey in use of Incirlik Base in the rotation.
Gen. Myers described Turkey as a real friend, trade partner and ally.
Pointing out that terrorism threat did not have borders, Gen. Myers said everywhere is a front from now on.
Gen. Myers stressed importance of NATO in fight against terrorism, and noted that Turkey's role in NATO was of vital importance.
(AY-AÖ) 07.04.2004