Rice: "We're following the AKP closure case closely"

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday attended the 27th annual conference of the Turkish-American Council in Washington. Speaking to the council, Rice said, "Turkey is a vital and strategic partner of the United States, and so it's fitting that this year's conference theme is 'Regional Allies and Global Partners'," adding that the countries' relationship is evolving and moving toward the challenges of the 21st century. Rice stressed the firm relations on many important international and regional issues between Ankara and Washington, saying, "Pursuing the vision of more democratic, freer, more at peace and more secure world, Turkey and the United States share a commitment to a united Iraq that is secure, stable, prosperous, at peace with its neighbors, and free from all forms of terrorism." Rice also reiterated that Washington recognizes the PKK as a common enemy of Turkey, Iraq, and the United States. After her speech, Rice took questions about the closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). "We are following very closely this case, of course, and it is a matter, obviously, for Turks to decide," she said, adding that the US believes the case will be decided in line with Turkey's secular democratic principles.