WASHINGTON D.C. - Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul has indicated, ``relations with the United States is one of cornerstones of Turkish foreign policy.``
Gonul delivered a speech on ``Evolving Security Environment and Turkey`s Strategic Role in Eurasia`` in a conference organized by Los Angeles World Affairs Council.
``There have been Turkish-U.S. military relations at the highest level,`` he underscored and noted that the volume of cooperation between Turkish and the U.S. defense industries amounted to 13 billion USD over the last 20 years.
Stating that Turkey and the United States attached great importance to prevention of proliferation of mass destruction weapons and ballistic missiles, Gonul recalled that Turkey, as an ally of NATO, stayed at the front line against a possible threat of missile which might be developed in the Middle East.
Gonul noted that Turkey always played a role of bridge between the east and the west.
``The latest developments have shown there is lack of dialogue between different communities worldwide,`` Gonul stressed that Turkey`s EU membership would give an important message underlining that different cultures could exist together peacefully.
IRAQ
Pointing out to Turkey`s cooperation in U.S.-led war in Iraq, Gonul recalled that 4,990 sorties were conducted in the Turkish airspace, Turkey`s Incirlik base was used and the parliament approved a government motion permitting the dispatch of soldiers to Iraq.
Gonul noted that Turkey has doubled its economic and commercial relations with Iraq since 2003, indicating that 50 percent of processed oil need of Iraq was provided by Turkey. He stressed that one fourth of electricity need of this country would also be provided by Turkey this year.
Stating that Turkey supported peace process in Iraq, he underlined that it also attached special importance to territorial integrity of Iraq.
Gonul said that Turkish public had concerns over discriminative attitude of Kurdish population in Iraq. ``Natural resources of Iraq belong to all Iraqi people,`` he stressed.
Noting that Iraqi election was a great step taken on the way of democracy, he said that the new Iraqi government should focus on constitutional amendment.
Gonul said that Kirkuk was still a very important matter affecting the stability in Iraq, noting that the destiny of Kirkuk should be determined by all Iraqi people.
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
He noted that terrorist organization PKK was continuing its activities in the north of Iraq, stressing that Turkey expected all relevant parties to solve this problem. ``Turkey considers that Iraqi government and coalition forces have equal responsibility to end those activities there,`` he said.
TURKEY`S RELATIONS
Gonul said that Turkey had sound and special relations with Israel and Palestine.
Stating that Hamas should assume a reasonable attitude, he said that Turkey was ready to assist efforts necessary to resume peace talks within the scope of Road Map.
TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS
He indicated that Turkey considered that Upper Karabakh issue was the main obstacle in front of peace and cooperation in the region, stating that a peaceful solution to this matter would contribute to development of regional cooperation and would normalize Turkish-Armenian relations.