FOREIGN MINISTER URGES TURKISH COMMUNITY IN USA TO OPPOSE ARMENIAN BILL
Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Sept 21 2007
Chicago, 21 September: Turkish Foreign Minister & Chief Negotiator
for EU talks Ali Babacan met representatives of Turkish associations
in Chicago on Friday [21 September].
Addressing the Turkish associations, Babacan said, "you are a
friendship bridge between Turkey and the United States. I fully
believe that you will protect interests of our country on every
platform including US Congress."
Babacan stressed that Turkish community in the United States is both
organized in itself and in harmony with US society, adding that this
is very important.
"We want Turkish citizens who are living abroad to take citizenship
of that country too. This makes you more influential. We want to
further develop and diversify our relations with the United States
which is Turkey’s ally and strategic partner. You are a friendship
bridge between Turkey and the United States, thus the contribution
which Turkish community will make in development of relations is very
important," he said.
Babacan noted that Turkish community (in the US) should act together
against Armenian draft in US Congress, adding that efforts of Turkish
community is very important in that issue.
Babacan is expected to proceed to New York on Saturday morning.