ANKARA - Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott and the Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu held a joint news conference prior to a panel on ''Turkey-United States-Russia: What can we expect in the new period.''
''Many things have changed in the United States after elections. There is only one thing that did not change and it is the importance that we attach to relations between Turkey and the United States'' Talbott said. He went on to say: ''I believe Brookings Institute will continue its contributions to develop further U.S.-Turkey relations. Thus, we have started 'Turkey Program'. The program is pursued under EU center of the institute which shows that we consider Turkey as a part of EU.''
Talbott said, ''one of the important issues in the region is Iran. When we met with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul this morning, we took up this issue. Turkey has an influence over Iran. I believe Turkey can play a role in completing successfully the ongoing negotiation between Iran and 3 EU-member countries.''
When asked his assessment about the situation in Iraq after elections, Talbott said, ''the important thing is to protect Iraq's territorial integrity.''
Talbott said, ''as democratic elections were held in Iraq, Iraq's allies and friends should do their best and exert efforts to safeguard the integrity and unity of this country. The Bush Administration clearly shows willingness to protect territorial integrity of Iraq. After my meetings with Mr. Gul and U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Eric Edelman, I had the impression that U.S. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice, during her meeting with Gul, confirmed the approach of the United States to protect territorial integrity of Iraq. Gul was also pleased with this confirmation.''
The panel discussion titled ''Turkey-United States-Russia: What can we expect in the new period'' will be closed to press.