Ecevit Meets With U.S. Vice President Cheney

WASHINGTON D.C., Jan 15 (A.A) - Developments following the United States' military operation in Afghanistan, the Cyprus question, the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) and economic issues were taken up at the meeting between Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the issue of Iraq was not brought onto agenda of the meeting.
During the meeting at the White House, Cheney said that he was pleased with seeing Prime Minister Ecevit in Washington D.C.
Cheney said that they attributed great importance to tomorrow's meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Ecevit, and added that they had been extending great support to the 57th government led by Prime Minister Ecevit.
Referring to the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Turkey has been acting with the United States in fight against terrorism. We have been supporting the United States' works on the issue of fight against terrorism.''
Noting that the U.S. administration attributed great importance to strategical relations with Turkey, Vice President Cheney said that these relations were not composed of only joint efforts against terrorism.
Cheney said that he well-understood Turkey's role during his term in office as the secretary of defense.
Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Turkey can assist Afghanistan in modernization of Afghan army and in economic and social development. Turkey can constitute a model for the whole Islam world. We will act together with the United States in rebuilding Afghanistan. A lasting solidarity will be provided in fight against terrorism.''
Stressing that a modern army should be formed in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Ecevit said that Turkey could contribute to Afghanistan to this end with its experiences.
Stressing that some lessons should be learnt from the model of Afghanistan, Vice President Cheney explained his opinions about al-Qaeda network and beginning of terrorism in Afghanistan.
Cheney underlined importance of Turkey's role in Afghanistan's rebuilding process.
He said that they appreciated Turkey's decision to send soldiers to Afghanistan.
Economic issues were also taken up during the meeting between Prime Minister Ecevit and Vice President Cheney.
Prime Minister Ecevit said that economic dimension of strategical relations between Turkey and the United States should be brought forefront.
He thanked the U.S. administration for its contributions to support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to Turkey.
Prime Minister Ecevit said that imbalance in mutual trade volume between Turkey and the United States should be removed, and called on U.S. businessmen to make more investments in Turkey.
Prime Minister Ecevit requested that Turkey should be provided the same facilities with other candidate countries to the European Union (EU).
Noting that Prime Minister Ecevit's requests were rightful, Vice President Cheney said that President Bush's Commercial Adviser Robert Zoellick had been working on the issue.
Stressing that they had been attributing great importance to Turkey, Cheney said that they had been supporting investments in Turkey.
Meanwhile, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan informed Vice President Cheney on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project. Cakan said that the pipeline was one of the most important projects of the 21st century, and asked the United States to extend financial support for the project.
The ESDP was also taken up at the meeting.
Giving information about the works carried out among Turkey, the United States and Britain on the issue of the ESDP, Prime Minister Ecevit thanked the United States for its contributions.
Stressing that they attributed great importance to the agreement reached with Turkey on the issue of the ESDP, Vice President Cheney said that they took up the same issue with Greece.
Noting that some arrangements should be made within structure of the EU on the issue of the ESDP, Vice President Cheney said that the issue was a domestic matter of the EU.
Referring to the Cyprus question, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Turkey attributes great importance to face-to-face talks between President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides. We are in favor of continuation of this dialogue process. Presence of two separate states and two separate nations on the island should be recognized.''
Prime Minister Ecevit gave information about developments on the island before the Peace Operation in 1974.
''There has not been any bloodshed on the island since the Peace Operation in 1974. Despite the embargo imposed on the TRNC, the TRNC has recorded great progress in its economy. Democracy has been settled in both sides of the island following the peace operation,'' he said.
Dick Cheney said that the Cyprus question was a difficult matter.
Noting that they had held a very good and beneficial meeting with Prime Minister Ecevit, Vice President Cheney described Turkey as an ally appreciated by the United States in a difficult geography.
The issue of Iraq was not brought onto agenda of the meeting between Prime Minister Ecevit and Vice President Cheney.
Later, Prime Minister Ecevit came together with World Bank President James Wolfensohn.
During the meeting, issues such as Afghanistan, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, and village-city project were taken up.
The sides stressed that the World Bank and Turkey should cooperate on the issue of Afghanistan.
Wolfensohn described the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project as an important project, and said that the World Bank would provide the necessary support for the project.
Wolfensohn added that the World Bank would also provide the necessary support for the village-city project.