GORDON: TURKEY AND THE UNITED STATES "HAVE BEEN PARTNERS FOR DECADES AND THAT PARTNERSHIP IS AS IMPORTANT TODAY AS IT HAS EVER BEEN
APA
March 17 2010
Azerbaijan
Baku – APA. "Turkey and the United States "have been partners for
decades and that partnership is as important today as it has ever
been", APA reports quoting Washington DC correspondent.
"We believe that Turkey is and wants to remain anchored in the
Euro-Atlantic community. However, the fact that some have questioned
the strength of our ties does highlight an important issue. The
relationship, which was much easier to justify when we faced a shared
Soviet threat, requires hard work and attention – on both sides",
US Assistant Secretary Philip H. Gordon stated on March 17th.
Mr. Gordon delivered remarks on the Obama Administration’s Relationship
with Turkey at the Washington based Brookings Institution, APA’s
Washington correspondent reports.
"This could hardly be a more important or timely subject and this is a
particularly appropriate moment to reflect on it. Almost a year ago,
President Obama traveled to Turkey during his first overseas trip. "
– he reminded.
Mr. Gordon pointed out that, few countries play such a crucial role
in such a diverse set of important areas: "How many countries have
borders with as diverse an array of countries as Turkey – Greece,
Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. With
its combination of strategic, economic, and cultural links, Turkey’s
influence touches such vital concerns of both our countries as the
stability of the Middle East and relations with the broader Islamic
world, relations with the Caucasus and Black Sea region, the transit of
energy from the Caspian Basin to Europe, the security and development
of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and the maintenance of strong
ties to Europe and the Trans-Atlantic alliance".
Assistant Secretary also pointed out that, "Turkey is already playing
a crucial role as a transit hub for energy to the rest of Europe –
heating homes, lighting offices, and powering industry across the
continent.
"The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which came online in 2006,
delivers one million barrels per day of petroleum and in 2007 the
South Caucasus pipeline began bringing natural gas from Azerbaijan to
Turkey. What these various projects and a variety of proposed future
initiatives show is that Turkey will be an integral part of meeting
Europe’s energy needs and providing for Europe’s energy security".
According to the US official, while Turkey plays an active role on
the world’s stage as a European power, it has also been equally active
in reaching out to its immediate neighbors.
"We are supportive of the Turkish government’s concept of pursuing
a policy of "zero problems" with its neighbors. This is a lofty and
admirable goal. Bringing it to fruition, as everyone recognizes,
will require difficult compromises and brave leadership" – he added.
Mr. Gordon also mentioned that, Turkey’s work with Armenia to normalize
relations demonstrates both the promise and the difficulty of this
enterprise.
"It holds out the prospect of positive transformative change in the
region. The steps taken so far by both countries have shown vision
and courage. Last October, in the presence of Secretary Clinton,
the foreign ministers of France, Russia, and Switzerland, and the EU
High Representative, the Turkish and Armenian Foreign Ministers signed
protocols on normalizing and developing their relations. We believe
that the implementation of these protocols – leading to diplomatic
ties and open borders – would be a historic development that would
benefit both countries and contribute to security and economic
prosperity throughout the region. We appreciate the effort that
has been made so far and urge both countries to ratify the protocols
without preconditions and as soon as possible, a point President Obama
made on the phone to President Gul just two weeks ago. Let us not
squander the historic progress already made. Ratification will bring
valuable benefits to both Turkey and Armenia. All who are invested
in the process must do their part to ensure that it moves forward".
Assistant Secretary also touched the resolution recently considered
by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"As President Obama has said, our interest remains a full, frank, and
just acknowledgement of the facts related to the events of 1915. But
the best way to do that, we believe, is for the Armenian and Turkish
people themselves to address this history as part of their efforts
to build a future of shared peace and prosperity. As both Secretary
Clinton and Secretary Gates have indicated, further Congressional
action could impede progress on the normalization of relations and
for that reason we oppose this resolution" – he said.