US commerce sec'y: "Istanbul can become Europe's financial center"

US President Barack Obama supports strengthening the already good relations between Turkey and the US, said US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Monday. "Trade develops swiftly. We can make Istanbul the financial center of Europe," Locke told participants at a Washington luncheon co-organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) and the Center for American Progress. Saying that the US has focused on strengthening ties between the countries' business worlds and developing innovation, Locke added that they have encouraged sustainable energy, entrepreneurship, work to make Istanbul Europe's business capital, and strengthening small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For his part, TUSKON head Rizanur Meral said they want to boost investments between the two countries. "The US and Turkey together have led the horse to water, but we haven't yet been able to make it drink." said Meral.