US Ambassador Jeffrey: "Turkish-US bilateral trade volume can see a three-fold rise in the years to come"

"The US government strongly desires to boost bilateral trade volume and economic cooperation with Turkey, which it sees as an important market and a key powerhouse of the world," US Ambassador to Ankara James Jeffrey said yesterday. Speaking at a banquet hosted in honor by the Turkish-US Business Council (TAIK) head Haluk Dincer in Ankara, Jeffrey complained that Turkish-US economic ties don't keep pace with the cooperation level enjoyed by the two close allies in the political area, and underlined the need to forge stronger economic and trade cooperation between Turkey and his country with active participation of private sector firms from the two countries. Stating that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Washington visit in early December last year had laid the groundwork towards better Turkish-US trade ties and economic cooperation, Jeffrey told about his government's efforts to flesh out the framework forged during Erdogan's visit to that effect. "We're focusing on enhancing economic ties, energy partnerships and cooperation in the tourism sector. Of course, only governmental efforts cannot be sufficient in this respect. Privates sectors from the two countries should create synergy. TAIK-like organizations are of great importance to ensure this. We have covered a great distance towards that end." Turkish-US bilateral trade volume can enjoy a three times increase in the years to come, he added. Stressing that Turkey is the most stable and successful country in a region extending from the Middle East to India, which is continually plagued by emergence of new crises, Jeffrey said, "This should never be forgotten. Turkey and US engaged in a cooperation process based on model partnership concept. Turkey is a country that brings security and stability to its region especially through its policy of zero problems with neighboring countries. For these reasons, the US is closely working with Turkey both in political and diplomatic areas. Turkey is very successful. It has the 17th biggest economy among G-20 countries." Sharing his views on the driving forces behind Turkey's success, Jeffrey said, "Firs of all, the Turkish people gravitates towards freedom, democracy, free market and enterprise principles. With the guidance of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who is a great leader of not only the 20th century but a good model for everyone, Turkey has followed a peace policy since the establishment of the Republic. Ataturk's 'Peace at home and Peace in the world' principle is of great importance even today. The third reason rests with Turkey's strong relations with the international community." He also touched on Turkey's well-positioned economy in the face of the global economic crisis, saying that Turkey's financial structure remained undamaged from the crisis thanks to the reforms of recent years. Speaking in Turkish, Jeffrey also said that Turkey and the US should also strengthen their geo-strategic cooperation.