ISTANBUL, Feb 24 (A.A) - Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) sent a letter to the U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell following their lobby works.
The letter, which was also signed by 20 U.S. parliamentarians, stated that full support was expended to the U.S.-Turkey Economic Partnership Commission, which was announced to be established on January 16, 2002.
The letter recalled that Economic Relations Undersecretary Alan Larson would chair the meeting that would take place in Ankara in February 26-27.
The letter said, ''as you know, Turkey, which has been a member of NATO since 1952, has been an important political and military ally of the U.S. throughout cold war, in Gulf War, and in fight against terrorism now. Turkish-U.S. cooperation will preserve its importance in the coming years. Turkey, for more than 50 years, continued to be the strong and moderate ally of the U.S. although there were more profittable trade cooperation facilities that it could set up with its neighbours and traditional trade partners.''
The letter said, ''as it was stated in the press release of Foreign Ministry, economic partnership between Turkey and the U.S. should be increased to the level of strategic partnership. Turkey made Customs Union with the EU in 1996, and opened its markets to the third countries to a great extend which the EU did not implement quota.''
The letter said, ''the meeting which will take place in February 26-27 is important to search for ways for facilities to make a Preferential Trade Agreement between Turkey and the U.S.''
The letter said, ''Turkey is unique as it is the only NATO member Moslem country, as it supports the U.S. policies carried out in the Middle East, and as it opposes to terrorism. Making a Preferential Trade Agreement will be beneficial for the two sides.''