WASHINGTON - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on Tuesday with the U.S. President George Bush.
U.S. President Bush, who received Erdogan in White House, pointed out that they were acting side by side with Turkey in its wish to be a member of the European Union (EU).
Bush said, ''welcome to the house of Turkey's best friend and ally,'' stressing that they were affected by Erdogan's leadership and his party. He said they thanked to Erdogan's loyality to democracy and independence.
Bush said he was pleased over what Turkey did within the framework of NATO membership, stressing that Turkey was a strategic friend and ally of the United States.
BUSH SAYS THEY WOULD STAND SIDE BY SIDE WITH TURKEY IN ITS DESIRE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE EU
Bush said, ''welcome to the house of Turkey's best friend and ally.'' He said they were affected by Erdogan's leadership and party, and that he thanked to the loyality of Erdogan to democracy and independence.
Bush said they would stand side by side with Turkey in its desire to be a full member of the EU, and that he was pleased over what Turkey did within the framework of NATO membership. He said Turkey was a strategic friend and ally of the United States and that he felt honor to host Erdogan.
Erdogan in his part said he was pleased to be in the friendly and ally United States, stressing that, ''it is a happiness for us that you allocated time for us. We consider accession to the EU as the most important modernization aspect of our civilization project. This is a leap on the way to democracy. This week is very important. It is as if a turning point. It is meaningful as it coincides with out ruling. We are aware of your support on this matter, and are very appreciative of it. But it shouldn't end here. We expect it will continue.''
When a journalist asked if he called the leaders for Turkey's EU membership, the U.S. President Bush said he had many telephone conversations for this, noting his administration worked very hard to reach a result.
U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, Bush's National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, and the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson participated in the meeting. Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, Turkey's Ambassador in Washington Faruk Logoglu, Foreign Ministry Middle East Desk director Tahsin Burcuoglu, parliamentarians Omer Celik, Egemen Baris, and Cuneyt Zapdu were in the Turkish delegation.
Erdogan, prior to his meeting with Bush, met Powell and Wolfowitz.
It was reported that Erdogan got briefing in Pentagon about Iraq.
Erdogan later proceeded to White House and met Condoleezza Rice for 15 minutes.

FLEISCHER: ''WE DISCUSSED REGIONAL SECURITY, ECONOMY, TURKEY'S EU PROCESS AND IRAQ WITH ERDOGAN''
White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer said on Tuesday that regional security, economy, Turkey's full membership process to the European Union (EU), and Iraq were discussed during the meeting between the U.S. President George Bush and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Fleischer, speaking at the daily news conference, pointed out that the meeting was very positive, and that the two leaders were at the same opinion that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was a danger for peace and that Iraq should be disarmed.
Fleischer said both leaders favored implementation of the U.N. process constructively in Iraq, and that they agreed to continue close consultations in this respect.
ERDOGAN:STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN IN THE COMING STAGE AND IRAQ ISSUE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING
Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Bush, Erdogan said the meeting was particularly related to European Union (EU) process, stressing that he informed Bush about his meetings in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and some others.
Erdogan said they exchanged views about what should be done regarded with the joint fight for democracy and freedoms, stressing that they took up some steps which could be taken in the coming stage. ''We also discussed Iraq. We will discuss those issues with the Prime Minister when we return to Turkey and accordingly we will announce our evaluations,'' he said.
When a journalist asked whether or not they had a concrete demand regarded with Iraq, and what were on the table under the title of Iraq, Erdogan said, ''in fact mainly there is peace. Solution of the problem through peace.''
Responding to a question if he made a commitment, Erdogan said, ''we will talk about this with the Prime Minister when I return. We will take necessary decision after making evaluations.''
When asked about Cyprus, Erdogan said, ''we have not yet received the letter. We will get it today. I think our government made an evaluation about the issue today. However, we are not fully informed about this evaluation at the moment. You know we will proceed to New York. We will make necessary statements there.''
Responding to a question whether or not they discussed Turkey's direct loses, Erdogan said, ''we discussed peace. We have not discussed those issues.''
When asked if U.S. President Bush gave signals that he would make new telephone talks with the European leaders in the coming 48 hours, Erdogan said, ''I made a request from him. I said we will be pleased if he talks to them on the phone again. He said Mr. Powell would make those talks.''
Responding to a question what he could say about the EU, Erdogan said, ''Parliament exerts efforts regarded with what the EU wanted from us on Copenhagen criteria. Commission rapidly issue laws. I think they will finish those till December 12.''
ERDOGAN LEAVES WASHINGTON FOR NEW YORK
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan left Washington for New York after wrapping up his contacts.
Turkey's Ambassador in Washington Faruk Logoglu participated in seen off ceremony of Erdogan and the accompanying delegation.