ANKARA, Jan 18 (A.A) - Presidential Foreign Affairs Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Friday, ''during Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the United States, steps have been taken to increase economic and commercial relations to the level of political and military relations between the two countries.''
Speaking at the weekly press conference at Cankaya Presidential Palace, Ildem said, ''President Ahmet Necdet Sezer believes that Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to the United States and his contacts with U.S. officials have made an important contribution to further improvement of strategical partnership relation between Turkey and the United States. During Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to the United States, steps have been taken to increase economic and commercial relations to the level of political and military relations between the two countries. We wish that these steps will result in positive developments that are beneficial for both countries.''
When asked, ''there are news stories claming that the stand-by agreement to be signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was delayed because the Banking Law has not been approved yet. What do you think?'' Ildem said, ''the Constitution authorizes the President to scrutinize laws. President Sezer has been examining the Banking Law in detail. His works will be finalized in the period envisaged by the Constitution. At the same time, we know that the IMF, like all international organizations, will respect to the constitutional order in Turkey.''