WASHINGTON (AA) - Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Omer Sabanci indicated that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming visit to Washington in June will take relations between Turkey and the United States further.
A TUSIAD delegation is in Washington to meet dignitaries from the American administration, financial circles and media groups.
The delegation includes TUSIAD Deputy Chairman Pekin Baran, TUSIAD members of the executive board Cem Duna, Bulent Akgerman, Umit Boyner, Ayca Dinckok, Ali Kibar, Agah Ugur, TUSIAD's foreign policy consultant Soli Ozel and retired ambassador Ilter Turkmen.
In a press conference for Turkish journalists, Sabanci remarked that there have been some ups and downs in Turkish-U.S. relations recently. ''However, the meetings we held in Washington showed us that the Americans still regard our ties as extremely important,'' told Sabanci.
What took place in the past must be left there, said Sabanci. ''The upcoming visit of Turkish Premier Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will carry Turkish-U.S. relations further,'' stressed Sabanci.
The developments on the Incirlik air base, Erdogan's visit to Israel were all intended to make Turkish-U.S. relations better, expressed Sabanci.
Sabanci stressed that his delegation was asked questions on the anti-American sentiments in Turkey. ''Americans also informed the Turkish government about their concerns over anti-American sentiments in Turkey. They (Americans) expect certain Turkish dignitaries to be more responsible in their approach to Turkish-U.S. relations,'' told Sabanci.
Sabanci told reporters that the TUSIAD delegation met U.S. Congressmen, U.S. Department of State's Turkey Desk officials, editors of Washington Post newspaper, representatives from the conservative American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and several Jewish organizations. TUSIAD delegation will be going to Boston today (Wednesday).
In Boston, TUSIAD delegation will visit the financial groups, ''Eurasia Group'' and ''Merrill Lynch.'' TUSIAD delegation will also visit Harvard University President Lawrence Summers.
From Boston, the TUSIAD delegation will go to New York where it will meet leaders of several giant corporations and editors of Wall Street Journal. TUSIAD delegation will participate in a meeting organized by Morgan Stanley financial corporation.
A panel discussion, titled ''Turkey-EU: The Next Step,'' was organized in Washington by TUSIAD's Washington representative Abdullah Akyuz.
In an opening speech at the panel discussion, Omer Sabanci indicated that TUSIAD's support to Turkey's EU bid will continue. ''We are very thankful to the United States for its support to Turkey's EU membership,'' said Sabanci.
''The Turkish economy is not behind other European countries. Turkey shares common values and ideas with the EU. Turkey has a lot that it can contribute to the EU,'' told Sabanci.
Participating in the panel discussion, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Marc Grossman stressed that mutual effort is needed by Turkey and EU in order to realize certain goals. ''The United States encourages both Turkey and the EU to continue efforts,'' expressed Grossman.
Meanwhile, Turkey's Ambassador in Washington Faruk Logoglu remarked that, although Turkey's EU membership seems to be very difficult, he believes that Turkey will become a member.
Logoglu commented that both Turkey and the EU should not lose their mutual perspectives. ''The EU must treat Turkey fairly,'' noted Logoglu.
2005-05-11