ANKARA - U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson said on Thursday that Turkey was a democratic country, adding that they respected Turkey's decision-taking mechanisms.
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc received U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Pearson.
Addressing journalists following the meeting, Pearson said that they had held a very beneficial meeting.
Noting that president of the U.S. Congress was the first foreign guest visiting Arinc after being elected, Pearson said that this visit highlighted importance of strategical partnership between Turkey and the United States.
Underlining importance of further improving relations among NATO parliamentary groups and among Turkish-American friendship groups of Turkish and U.S. parliaments, Pearson said that importance of Turkish-American friendship and close cooperation between Turkey and the United States was stressed at the meeting.
Noting that he had explained views of the United States about the Cyprus question and the Iraq issue, Pearson said that there had been perpetual contacts between Turkey and the United States on the Cyprus question.
Pearson said that his country would do its utmost to find a peaceful solution to Iraq issue.
Touching on legitimacy in a possible operation against Iraq, Pearson said that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell would give information to U.N. Security Council next week and they would work to issue another U.N. resolution.
Stressing that the United States was working very closely with Turkey on Iraq issue, Pearson said that he also continued to work on that issue.
Underlining that Turkey was a democratic country, he said that the United States welcomed Turkey's decision taking mechanisms under the Constitution.