US should not ignore Turkey for two tribal leaders

Speaking after his meeting with the delegation headed by US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee President Richard Lugar, Cicek said that US was Turkey’s friend, adding that US should not ignore this friendship for the friendship of two tribe leaders.

Cicek said the meeting with the delegation centered on US-Turkish relations and what Turkey was doing with concerning its European Union membership bid.

He said Turkey had received significant help from US on in its bid to become a EU member, adding that he hoped this help would continue in the future.

Turkey’s stance visa via Cyprus was clear, said Cicek, noting that Turkey some reservations that could be resolved and some that have to be accepted.

IRAQ
Cicek said the matter of Iraq also came during the discussions and he had tried to convey that Turkey saw US as a friend and that US should not ignore Turkey just to befriend two tribal leaders.

CORRUPTION
He said the issue of corruption had also been discussed, because all countries that were interested in Turkey were interested also in Turkey’s efforts to wipe out corruption.

He said during the discussions there was no mention of yesterday’s US reply to Turkish questionnaire on Iraq.

He also said if Turkey ever sent troops to Iraq, this action should be carefully and sensitively explained to the people.