Turkish-US partnership stressed ahead of Washington meeting

Arriving in Washington yesterday to attend the 27th conference of the Turkish-American Council, State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursat Tuzmen, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and State Minister Mehmet Simsek attended a reception given by Turkey's Ambassador to Washington Nabi Sensoy. Military officials from Turkey and US Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson also attended. During the reception, Tuzmen told Wilson, "Trade between Turkey and the US is soaring, but this increase is fuelled by Turkey's imports from the US," adding that Turkey's exports to the US are actually falling. President Abdullah Gul and US President George W. Bush both sent congratulatory messages to the reception. In his message, Gul stressed that the two countries have enjoyed a longtime, strong partnership on many important issues. Bush also stressed the strong ties of partnership between the two countries, saying, "The US and Turkey share the determination to improve democracy and peace all over the world." In related news, Tuzmen also touched upon recent warnings by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank about a possible global food crisis, saying, "For the time being, there is no need for extraordinary government action against this possibility." He added that the government will act rapidly should the need arise. Tuzmen also strongly condemned speculators trying to benefit from this situation, saying that the government wouldn't allow Turkish consumers to be exploited.