WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. President George W. Bush received on Friday Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis and State Minister Ali Babacan for Treasury, who are currently in the United States on an official visit.
Following the meeting, Yakis and Babacan responded questions of journalists in front of the White House.
Foreign Minister Yakis said that the Iraq issue and the Cyprus question were brought onto agenda during the meeting.
When asked whether or not the motion about deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey would be submitted to the parliament on February 18, Yakis told reporters, ''we listened to views of the United States. We understand them. Of course, preparation of military plans needs time. The date of February 18 is important to them.''
Responding a question about a possible economic support of the United States to Turkey, Yakis said, ''the issue of economic support has secondary importance. The most important thing is cooperation.''
When asked whether or not Turkey requested the United States a guarantee of protection in a possible war in Iraq, Yakis said, ''such an issue was not discussed at the meeting. This guarantee already exists. Under the North Atlantic Treaty, if an attack is staged on one of the allies, all other allies are obliged to protect it. We believe that our allies are ready to do their utmost to protect us in case of an attack.''
''We did not come to the United States to sign an agreement. We exchanged views with President Bush. It was a quite fruitful meeting,'' he said.
Referring to the Cyprus question, Yakis said, ''we have been seeking a satisfactory solution to the Cyprus question. Turkey attributes great importance to such a solution. Our government aims at overcoming the Cyprus question.''
Meanwhile, State Minister Babacan said that they had been exchanging views with U.S. officials on political and economic issues.
When asked whether or not they requested a written memorandum from the United States, Babacan told reporters that works on some documents had been continuing.