Anatolian Times, Turkey
March 25 2006
Turkey Attaches Great Importance To Its Relations With US, Gonul
WASHINGTON D.C. – Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul has
indicated, “relations with the United States is one of cornerstones
of Turkish foreign policy.“
Gonul delivered a speech on “Evolving Security Environment and
Turkey`s Strategic Role in Eurasia“ in a conference organized by Los
Angeles World Affairs Council.
“There have been Turkish-U.S. military relations at the highest
level,“ he underscored and noted that the volume of cooperation
between Turkish and the U.S. defense industries amounted to 13
billion USD over the last 20 years.
Stating that Turkey and the United States attached great importance
to prevention of proliferation of mass destruction weapons and
ballistic missiles, Gonul recalled that Turkey, as an ally of NATO,
stayed at the front line against a possible threat of missile which
might be developed in the Middle East.
Gonul noted that Turkey always played a role of bridge between the
east and the west.
“The latest developments have shown there is lack of dialogue
between different communities worldwide,“ Gonul stressed that
Turkey`s EU membership would give an important message underlining
that different cultures could exist together peacefully.
IRAQ
Pointing out to Turkey`s cooperation in U.S.-led war in Iraq, Gonul
recalled that 4,990 sorties were conducted in the Turkish airspace,
Turkey`s Incirlik base was used and the parliament approved a
government motion permitting the dispatch of soldiers to Iraq.
Gonul noted that Turkey has doubled its economic and commercial
relations with Iraq since 2003, indicating that 50 percent of
processed oil need of Iraq was provided by Turkey. He stressed that
one fourth of electricity need of this country would also be provided
by Turkey this year.
Stating that Turkey supported peace process in Iraq, he underlined
that it also attached special importance to territorial integrity of
Iraq.
Gonul said that Turkish public had concerns over discriminative
attitude of Kurdish population in Iraq. “Natural resources of Iraq
belong to all Iraqi people,“ he stressed.
Noting that Iraqi election was a great step taken on the way of
democracy, he said that the new Iraqi government should focus on
constitutional amendment.
Gonul said that Kirkuk was still a very important matter affecting
the stability in Iraq, noting that the destiny of Kirkuk should be
determined by all Iraqi people.
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
He noted that terrorist organization PKK was continuing its
activities in the north of Iraq, stressing that Turkey expected all
relevant parties to solve this problem. “Turkey considers that Iraqi
government and coalition forces have equal responsibility to end
those activities there,“ he said.
TURKEY`S RELATIONS
Gonul said that Turkey had sound and special relations with Israel
and Palestine.
Stating that Hamas should assume a reasonable attitude, he said that
Turkey was ready to assist efforts necessary to resume peace talks
within the scope of Road Map.
TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS
He indicated that Turkey considered that Upper Karabakh issue was the
main obstacle in front of peace and cooperation in the region,
stating that a peaceful solution to this matter would contribute to
development of regional cooperation and would normalize
Turkish-Armenian relations.