TURKISH PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN COMMENTS ON "CLOSE COOPERATION" WITH US

Anatolia News Agency
Nov 13 2008
Turkey

NEW YORK (A.A) -Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
on Thursday that Turkey expected the new US administration to take
into consideration Turkey’s sensitiveness on matters which have
vital importance.

Erdogan delivered a speech entitled "Turkey’s role in giving a shape
to future" at Columbia University.

Referring to the presidential election in the United States, Erdogan
said, "I sincerely congratulate Barack Obama and his team who won
the elections. Turkey and the United States, being two allies that
have very strong relations, support each other for more than half
a century. Close cooperation between the two parties contribute
to the restoration of peace, security and prosperity in a region
extending from the Caucasus to Central Asia and from the Middle East
to the Balkans. Preservation of our strategic partnership is not only
important for the national interests of our countries but for global
peace and stability as well."

"Turkey and the United States experienced a period regarding terrorist
attacks stemming from north of Iraq in 2007 and Armenian allegations
regarding 1915 incidents. However, this period could be overcome
through common political will and endeavours. I am grateful for
the support given to Turkey in this respect. Further improvement
of relations progressing in the basis of strategic partners is very
important for Turkey," Erdogan said.

"In addition to relations on politics and security, tangible steps
should be taken in diversifying economic, commercial, social and
cultural relations," Erdogan said.

"Turkey is resolved to maintain multilateral and close cooperation with
the new US administration led by Mr Obama. Naturally, we particularly
expect the new US administration to take into consideration Turkey’s
sensitives on matters which have vital importance. This is also
important not only for the bilateral relations but also for peace and
security. It is important that Mr Obama said US support to efforts
to deal with terrorism would continue. We believe that cooperation
and spirit of solidarity between Turkey and the United States would
continue to be a landmark of strategic relations," Turkey.