ISTANBUL, Feb 16(A.A) - Culture Minister Istemihan Talay hosted a luncheon in honor of members of the U.S. House of Representatives' United States-Turkey Interparliamentary Friendship Group at Istanbul's Topkapi Palace Museum on Saturday.
Noting that the congressmen would proceed to Ankara to start holding contacts, Talay noted, ''there are sound and friendly ties between Turkey and the United States. These ties have always been confirmed in cooperation and joint policies of two friendly and allied countries. Our guests will try to form a Turkey Working Group at the U.S. Congress. We are pleased to host these congress. I believe that their visit to Turkey would contribute to further improvement of relations between Turkey and the United States.''
Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Cliff Stearns said that Turkey took part in a key point because of its geographical position. He said that Turkey was more experienced in fight against terrorism than the United States, and added that they could learn many things from Turkey.
Congressmen Robert Wexler, Kay Granger, Tom Granger, James Moran and Cliff Stearns will proceed to Ankara on Sunday after wrapping up their contacts in Istanbul.
The delegation will start its official programme on Monday by coming together with State Minister Tunca Toskay at breakfast.
Later, the delegation will visit the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey, and meet with Foreign Affairs Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.
The delegation will proceed to Incirlik Air Base in southern province of Adana later in the same day.
On Tuesday, members of the delegation will be given a briefing at the General Staff. Later, they will be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.