Ecevit Returns From U.S.A.

ANKARA, Jan 19 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who wrapped up his contacts in the United States returned to Turkey with the accompanying delegation on Saturday morning.
Speaking at a press conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Ecevit said he had a series of very successful contacts with U.S. officials during his visit.
''During our meetings, we discussed a large number of topics including Central Asia, Middle East, Far East, EU, Bosnia, Caucasia, and Afghanistani'' Ecevit said. He added that economy and terrorism were also among the topics of discussion.
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said that he discussed economic and commercial cooperation opportunities during his meetings with U.S. officials.
''At the end of our contacts, we decided to form a Turkey-U.S. Economic Partnership Commission which will have its first meeting on Feb.26-27, 2002,'' he told reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport.
''The participants of this meeting will discuss forming industrial regions and advancing our commercial and economic relations. This will be a big step towards developing economic relations with the United States.''
Ecevit had meetings with U.S. President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, secretary of defense, secretary of treasury, secretary of commerce, commerce representative, deputy secretary of state, World Bank governor, and IMF executive director during his visit to the United States. He also met a number of members of the Friendship Group in U.S. Parliament and visited the ruins of the Twin Towers in New York.
Ecevit stated that there was an agreement to accept Turkish construction companies in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
The prime minister indicated that cooperation against global terrorism was another topic which they discussed into detail.
''We told them that we are behind the United States in its fight against terrorism just like they supported our efforts against terrorism,'' he said. He added Turkey Turkey was ready to do its best to maintain peace and security in Afghanistan.
''I briefed U.S. officials about Parliament's activities, our efforts in economic and social fields. U.S. officials welcomed the steps we have taken. I thanked the World Bank and IMF for their financial support to Turkey and stressed that it was important for Turkey to continue receiving this support,'' he said.
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit pointed to the strategic partnership between the United States and Turkey and said ''We agreed to continue this partnership which will also lead to the success of Turkey's economic reform program.''
Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Ecevit said ''We stressed that the economic background of this strategic partnership was weak. U.S. officials also shared our views on this subject. They started valuable initiatives to add an economic dimension to our strategic partnership. The U.S. administration yesterday announced that the economic partnership commission would have its first meeting in Ankara on Feb. 26-27 headed by U.S. undersecretary in charge of foreign economic relations.''
Ecevit said that Turkey's economic relations with the United States would speed up in the next couple of months.
Speaking about tourism relations between the two countries, Ecevit said the number of U.S. tourists who visited Turkey had been low after Sept.11 attacks since the U.S. government included Turkey in the list of countries which are risky to visit for U.S. citizens. ''We told them that this is not true and President Bush said Turkey was taken out of the list. This way we'll have the chance to see more U.S. tourists in Turkey from now on.''
Ecevit also indicated that it would be easier and less complicated for U.S. businessmen to make investments in Turkey since the government passed a law lifting bureaucratical obstacles.
''After Sept. 11 attacks, the United States stressed Turkey as a model country which could prevent clashes between religions and cultures and this increased Turkey's importance and responsibilities,'' he added.
Responding to a question on Iraq, Ecevit said ''Bush stated that the U.S. absolutely cannot be in harmony with an Iraqi administration headed by Saddam Hussein and a number of steps should be taken on this matter. But he didn't speak about a possible military operation. He stressed that his administration would consult with Turkey if they ever start an opertion against Iraq.''
Answering another question about UN gun inspectors, Ecevit said ''A short time ago Foreign Minister Ismail Cem sent a letter to the Iraqi foreign ministers and he expressed Turkey's worries regarding the matter. And they sent a reply but it was not satisfactory. Iraq has to obey UN decisions.''
When asked what was Turkey's biggest gain from the visit, Ecevit said Turkey would start getting the fruits of the meeting in the economic field in a few years.
Commenting on the contacts between Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart Papandreou, Ecevit said ''This was not a secret meeting. It was a dialogue and a dialogue is not always revealed at its every stage. The problems between Turkey and Greece can be solved through a dialogue.
Cem also stated that he was in contact with Papandreou under Ecevit's instruction. ''We're conveying our thoughts to each other on a number of subjects. Our relations continue to develop.''