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MORE DIALOGUE IS THE KEY TO BETTER TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS
Daily Sabah, Turkey
May 22 2014
Ragıp Soylu
WASHINGTON D.C. -- The growing criticism against the Turkish
government by the U.S. Congress and "inaccurate perception" of Turkey
in Washington can only be curbed with a series of official meetings
between parliamentarians and the help of Turkish-American communities
said a senior member of the Turkish Parliament.
Bozkır, the chairman of the commission on Foreign Affairs in the
Parliament, had the opportunity to meet 17 members of congress and
share views on a range of issues including Turkey-Israel settlement
and Cyprus reunification in a two day visit to the U.S. capital.
"My colleagues are aware of the significance of Turkey in the Middle
East and they are expecting to see a more democratic, modern and
prosperous Turkey in coming years," Bozkır said. "They are closely
following the developments in Turkey. However there is still an
inaccurate perception within the political elite of D.C. I think to
solve these differences we must focus on more dialogue between members
of parliaments. Another valuable asset for us is our new ambassador
to United States. He will also take care of this matter."
Serdar Kılıc, Turkey's new ambassador to D.C., and former secretary
general of the Turkish National Council, yesterday submitted his
credentials to President Barack Obama. Kılıc needs to tackle urgent
problems on the desk such as draft Armenian Genocide Bill No 401 that
is expected to be brought to Senate floor in this June.
Bozkır, who is also a former ambassador and a career diplomat, stated,
"I have emphasized that this bill has already created disappointment
in Turkey after passing through the Committee on Foreign Affairs. I
have recommended to my counterparts that blocking this bill is
very important for us and even with a Senator's willing it would
be possible.
"Both Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's historic condolences to
descendants of Armenian Ottomans and ongoing efforts to finalize
Turkey-Israel settlements have received good reactions from congress
and will further help to repair Turkey's image in the U.S."
According to Bozkır, congress seems more interested in recent
escalation in Ukraine and Russia's growing influence in the region
rather than Turkish domestic politics and demanded wider Turkish
support for western bloc concerning the issues.
Another important topic that members of congress have been supportive
of is the Cyprus negotiations. In response to a question on the
U.S.'s role in Cyprus reunifications, Bozkır said that the Obama
administration showed substantial efforts to resolve the issue whereas
the EU had failed to succeed.
"Everyone is over here supporting the reunification of the Island,"
Bozkır said. "People are happy to see the progress and I think
American will push the Greek administration to approve a referendum
for the future of the island next September."
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2014/05/22/more-dialogue-is-the-key-to-better-turkishamerican-relations
Daily Sabah, Turkey
May 22 2014
Ragıp Soylu
WASHINGTON D.C. -- The growing criticism against the Turkish
government by the U.S. Congress and "inaccurate perception" of Turkey
in Washington can only be curbed with a series of official meetings
between parliamentarians and the help of Turkish-American communities
said a senior member of the Turkish Parliament.
Bozkır, the chairman of the commission on Foreign Affairs in the
Parliament, had the opportunity to meet 17 members of congress and
share views on a range of issues including Turkey-Israel settlement
and Cyprus reunification in a two day visit to the U.S. capital.
"My colleagues are aware of the significance of Turkey in the Middle
East and they are expecting to see a more democratic, modern and
prosperous Turkey in coming years," Bozkır said. "They are closely
following the developments in Turkey. However there is still an
inaccurate perception within the political elite of D.C. I think to
solve these differences we must focus on more dialogue between members
of parliaments. Another valuable asset for us is our new ambassador
to United States. He will also take care of this matter."
Serdar Kılıc, Turkey's new ambassador to D.C., and former secretary
general of the Turkish National Council, yesterday submitted his
credentials to President Barack Obama. Kılıc needs to tackle urgent
problems on the desk such as draft Armenian Genocide Bill No 401 that
is expected to be brought to Senate floor in this June.
Bozkır, who is also a former ambassador and a career diplomat, stated,
"I have emphasized that this bill has already created disappointment
in Turkey after passing through the Committee on Foreign Affairs. I
have recommended to my counterparts that blocking this bill is
very important for us and even with a Senator's willing it would
be possible.
"Both Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's historic condolences to
descendants of Armenian Ottomans and ongoing efforts to finalize
Turkey-Israel settlements have received good reactions from congress
and will further help to repair Turkey's image in the U.S."
According to Bozkır, congress seems more interested in recent
escalation in Ukraine and Russia's growing influence in the region
rather than Turkish domestic politics and demanded wider Turkish
support for western bloc concerning the issues.
Another important topic that members of congress have been supportive
of is the Cyprus negotiations. In response to a question on the
U.S.'s role in Cyprus reunifications, Bozkır said that the Obama
administration showed substantial efforts to resolve the issue whereas
the EU had failed to succeed.
"Everyone is over here supporting the reunification of the Island,"
Bozkır said. "People are happy to see the progress and I think
American will push the Greek administration to approve a referendum
for the future of the island next September."
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2014/05/22/more-dialogue-is-the-key-to-better-turkishamerican-relations