WASHINGTON D.C., March 19 (A.A) - U.S. Democrat Party's Virginia Congressman Jim Moran, a member of the Turkish-American Friendship Group of the House of Representatives, said on Tuesday that Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU) was of vital importance.
Together with Republican Party's Florida Congressman Cliff Stearns, American-Turkish Council (ATC) Chairman Brent Scowroft and Baser Holding Executive Board member Bulent Baser, Moran attended a panel discussion on ''Access to American Market'' within framework of the 21st annual conference of the ATC in Washington D.C.
Speaking at the panel discussion, Moran stressed that Turkey should become a part of the EU, and added that Turkey's membership would be beneficial for both the United States and the EU.
Noting that Turkey had been acting as a bridge between the Christianity and the Islam, Moran said that Turkey which had reached current situation with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's reforms and principles, would constitute a model for other Muslim countries.
Meanwhile, Republican Party's Florida Congressman Cliff Stearns said in his part that U.S. President George W. Bush's administration was called on to extend any kind of support to Turkey which was a key ally of the United States.
Noting that efforts to support Turkey's membership to the EU was high on the agenda of the Turkish-American Friendship Group, Stearns said that further improvement of commercial relations between Turkey and the United States should be encouraged.
Meanwhile, Baser said, ''textile quotas for Turkey should be lifted. It is not fair to impose textile quota on Turkey which is an ally and strategical partner of the United States. The United States does not impose textile quotas on Russia, Myanmar and even Syria. We cannot understand this unfair treatment by the United States. Turkey does not pose a threat to U.S. textiles industry.''