WASHINGTON D.C., March 18 (A.A) - The U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson said on Monday that the United States appreciated the wide-scaled economic reforms of Turkey, its constitutional amendments, and issuing of a series of laws toward political reform.
Pearson sent a message to the American-Turkish Council (ATC) 21st conference held in Washington D.C.
In his message, Pearson said the United States appreciated Turkey's wide-scaled economic reforms, 34 constitutional amendments, and issuing of a series of laws toward implementation of meaningful politicial reforms. He said the United States appreciated the support and the touching sympathy exhibited by the Turkish people after the tragedy in September 11. He said the United States stands side by side with Turkey in fight against terrorism and rebuilding of Afghanistan with pride.
Pointing out that the past one year was difficult and bitter for Turkey and the U.S., Pearson said economic crisis in Turkey and the terrorist attacks in the United States did not give damage to the determination and friendship of the two countries.
Pearson said instead of this, Turkey and the U.S. diagnosed their problems and assumed the role of leadership in fight against terrorism. He said the shocks which the two countries met were not defeat, noting that they were the difficulties which the two countries overcome with cooperation.
Describing Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the U.S. in January as ''historic'', Pearson said this visit, the visit of the U.S. administration officials to Turkey, and the newly established Economic Partnership Commission revealed the many-dimensional relations between the two countries.
Pearson said military cooperation between the two countries was a deep, influential, and tested relation which has mutual benefits.
Pearson said the developing relations between Higher Education Board (YOK) and the New York State University, and the cooperation between the Turkish and the American academicians are exciting.
The U.S. Ambassador said there were new difficulties and opportunities in trade and economy, stressing that the U.S. and Turkey were determined to improve economic relations.
He said business circles were critical in this respect as they make the investments and trade. Noting that the government also have role to this end, Pearson said the duty of the governments was to remove the obstacles in front of trade and investments, to create the most positive investment and business atmosphere, and to help dialogue and contacts of business circles.''
Pearson said the two countries intensified efforts within this framework, and recalled that Turkish-American Economic Partnership Council held its first meeting in February in Ankara. Pearson said, ''with this opening and energic cooperation, we may look at a more brilliant future.''