US think-tank organization says Turkey regional power
US think tank organization, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), defined Turkey as an increasingly influential regional and economic power.
In a 96-page report prepared on the United States and Turkey, the CFR called on US and Turkey to forge a new partnership. Among those who prepared the report on Turkey was former US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright.
Turkey is an increasingly influential regional and economic power. With US, Turkey is supporting transitional period in the Middle East. Turkey has been working to stop the bloodshed in Syria, stated the report.
Turkey and US relations should not point out to only two countries’ interests but also it ought to reflect Turkey’s economic and political success and a new role in changing Middle East, the report continued. It mentioned that bilateral relations must be improved due to significant strategic reasons such as security, economic, humanitarian and environmental problems in the region.
The study group of the report stated that Turkey was not well understood in US. The group also made several suggestions to forge a new partnership.
The study group made following suggestions:
Ankara and Washington ought to build up new forum on governmental level such as US and China’s Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Washington should conduct several researches to remove obstacles on free trade agreement between Turkey and US.
US ought to encourage Turkey on strengthening its political reform process. The report also stated that, to realize a new partnership, Ankara and Washington should comply with several principles, including respecting each other’s interest, principle of equality, privacy and reliability.
10.05.2012
SOURCE: DUNYA.COM
