TURKISH ENVOY HOPES FOR NO NEGATIVE US STEPS ON ARMENIAN ISSUE

Anadolu Agency
Feb 2 2010
Turkey

Ankara, 2 February: Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Namik Tan,
who was appointed as the ambassador in Washington, DC, delivered
a speech in a meeting on Turkish-US relations organized by Turkish
Democracy Foundation in Ankara on Tuesday [2 February].

Turkey has taken one of the most important steps of its history by
signing protocols with Armenia, Tan said.

In regard to Armenian allegations which are expected to [be] debated
at the US Congress in April, Tan said, "We expect that US officials
will not take a negative step on the matter this year, as well as
next years. There has been a comprehensive and fruitful cooperation
(between the two countries)."

Replying to a question on Iran, Tan said, "We are not in favour of
a military operation to Iran. Such operation has several risks and
it would spoil balance in the region. But this does not mean that
Turkey consents to nuclear weapon programme of this country."

In regard to Turkish-US relations, Tan said all matters on peace
and stability were related to the relations between Turkey and the
United States.

Both countries attached a great importance to issues like Balkans,
Caucasus, EU and Russia, he said.

Tan said Turkey and the USA should have a close cooperation to preserve
regional and global stability.

Touching on Turkey’s EU accession process, he said Turkey had some
shortcomings in regard to reforms but the country would keep walking
on its path to EU. "Turkey will keep fulfilling reforms for Turkish
people," he said.

Answering a question on developments between Turkey and Israel,
Tan said, "The two countries don’t have any bilateral problem."

Tan said Turkish authorities made some criticisms regarding Israel’s
attack on Gaza for goodness of Israel and peace in the region.