Bush: Turkey Is A Magnificent Country

WASHINGTON D.C., Jan 17 (A.A) - The U.S. President George W. Bush said on Wednesday that Turkey was a magnificent country.
It was reported that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's meeting with the U.S. President Bush at the White House was sincere.
Prime Minister Ecevit invited the U.S. President Bush to Turkey at the meeting and Bush responded positively to the request. Bush said Turkey was a magnificent country.
The U.S. President Bush's National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill, White House Europe Eurasia Director Dan Fried, White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Europe-Eurasia relations Elizabeth Jones, and the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Robert Pearson attended the meeting.
The sides discussed Iraq, Afghanistan, Caucasia, Azerbaijan, Middle East, Turkish-Greek Relations, Cyprus, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, relations with the EU, and Turkish-U.S. economic cooperation.
While discussing Afghanistan issue, cooperation of the two countries in fight against terrorism, and the process which Turkey would cover with the U.S. regarded with Afghanistan's rebuilding was evaluated.
The U.S. President Bush stressed that Turkey was an important model being a secular, democratic, and Moslem country.
Pointing out that he was sure that efforts for Afghanistan would be resulted successfully by acting in a determined way and patiently, Bush said the operation would succeed soon.
Bush, while speaking about Iraqi issue, said they knew Turkey's sensitivities about Iraq, stressing that this issue was brought onto the agenda often recently. Bush also expressed the uneasiness felt over weapons of mass destruction.
Bush also reiterated the views of the U.S. administration regarded with changing of the Iraqi regime.
Bush said they would consult to Turkey in respect to close relations between the U.S. and Turkey.
Speaking about Cyprus issue, Ecevit said the fact that there are two states and two nations on the island should be accepted, and reminded the things which had been experienced before 1974 peace operation and the things after the operation.
Ecevit said face-to-face talks which started between President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides should be supported. Bush said he also shared the views that face-to-face talks should be supported.
Prime Minister Ecevit thaned to the U.S. President George Bush for the U.S. support expended for European Union (EU), stressing that this support should continue.
Speaking about European Security and Defense Policy, Ecevit thanked to the support expended by the U.S. side.
Bush said they attributed great importance to Turkish-Greek relations, noting that the U.S. administration supported the efforts of the two countries.
The U.S. President Bush said they knew about Turkey's expectations regarded with economy issues.
Pointing out that Turkey entered to a reform process, Bush said they supported this process.
It was reported that the issue of ''Qualified Industrial Zone'' which Prime Minister brought onto the agenda during the meeting was mainly discussed.
Improving trade, which is the weakest link within the framework of strategic partnership, was brought onto the agenda.
It was reported that the U.S. President Bush gave the message of strong support to Turkey in economic issues. Bush said Turkey was going through a serious process.
Prime Minister Ecevit thanked to the support which the U.S. expended to Turkey following the economic crisis.
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was brought onto the agenda, and the U.S. support in this respect was stressed.
Meanwhile, Bush asked the position of the Turkish citizens living in the U.S. and said training of those students was an investment to future.
Ecevit, during the meeting, spoke about the steps taken to get the interest of foreign investors and the constitutional amendments.