PM Erdogan sends congratulations to Obama

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the weekend sent a congratulatory message to US President Barack Obama, who assumed his new office last week. "The impressive speech and positive messages you delivered while taking your oath … are remarkably encouraging for relations with friendly and allied countries, as well as in regards to the transatlantic alliance," wrote Erdogan. "In particular, the fact that you again reaffirmed that you will assume open policies based on multilateralism and dialogue lends hope that the world can pass the tests it is facing and can build global peace and confidence." He continued, "The preservation of relations and the strategic partnership between Turkey and the US carries great importance not only for the national interests of our countries, but also for regional and global peace and stability." Erdogan also repeated his invitation to Obama to a forum meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations scheduled for April 6-7. Turkish-US relations had been strained by the Iraq war and unilateral foreign policies of the previous administration.