US READY TO ASSIST IN IMF TALKS, SEES COOPERATION WITH TURKEY IN MIDEAST
Hurriyet
Jan 23 2009
Turkey
ISTANBUL – The United States said it is important for Turkey to cut
a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and that it expects
cooperation to increase with Ankara on the Middle East.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey said in a speech in Istanbul
where he attended a meeting of the Foreign Economic Relations Board
of Turkey (DEIK) that he met with the IMF officials last week and
that there have been "encouraging and good developments".
"The United States is ready to assist anyway it can on the talks
between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund," Jeffrey said on
Friday. IMF officials are currently in Ankara to hold talks on the new
deal which is expected to include $15-20 billions in financial support.
He also said the one of the issues that the Washington administration
plans to discuss with the Turkish government is ways to tackle the
problems regarding greenfield investments. American companies are
concerned about intellectual property rights and the illegal economy
(in Turkey), he added.
COOPERATION IN MIDEAST
The new administration should be given some time to draw out its
policies and although President Barack Obama is the only person who
decides foreign policy, he is accompanied by many experienced advisors,
Jeffrey said.
"Palestine-Israel, Afghanistan-Pakistan, Iran and Iraq are among the
issues that the U.S. looks to closely work with Turkey," he added.
He also said "very, very important developments" are seen in
Turkey-Armenia relations and many changes are underway, he said.
Jeffrey said Obama was pleased with the Turkish government’s position
on Afghanistan, and also said that Turkey was an example for regional
countries.
The U.S. ambassador also said Turkey was playing key roles, like
the one it had in Gaza, and underlined the importance of working
together, adding that the new U.S. administration took over the mission
optimistically, and was aware that Turkey was an important ally.
He also reiterated his country’s support to Turkey’s European
Union bid.