Senior Turkish diplomat in USA says U.S. vice president was supportive and positive

WASHINGTON (A.A) - December 8, 2011 - Turkey's ambassador to the United States said on Wednesday that the U.S. vice president had never been so supportive and positive before. Namik Tan said that spring was being experienced in Turkish-U.S. relations, and it was the first time that the U.S. president and vice president visited Turkey in the same term in office. "Traditionally, U.S. Vice President (Joe) Biden has not always been supportive in issues concerning Turkey, however this time, he was fairly positive and strongly supportive in every issue," Tan said during a meeting at the Rumi Forum in Washington. Tan said Arab revolt in the Middle East had a significant role in good Turkish-U.S. relations, and Turkish and U.S. leaders had a peculiar dialogue after the rebellions. Secondly, Turkey's taking the right place in this regional process was effective in good relations, and the United States appreciated Turkey's stance, Tan said. Tan said Turkey's being a venue for NATO early warning radar also had a positive effect on bilateral relations. Turkey was pushing hard to solve its problems with Israel, one of the challenges in Turkish-U.S. relations, Tan said. Tan defined Biden's visit as perfect in regard to discussion of the terrorist organization PKK, Iraq and Arab Spring, and said Biden underlined importance of high-level strategic relations with Turkey during his visit. The ambassador said Turkey could be a source of inspiration for Arab rebellion, and noted that both political and economic stability made Turkey a "brilliant force." Tan said Turkey also stood by regional people from the outset, and Turkey's experiences should not be ignored. Turkey was the only country that had direct and strong links with western organizations including NATO, OECD, EU and Council of Europe, and had a unique role, he said. Tan also said Turkey was a Islamic country that assumed all western values, and when one regarded all those issues, s/he could understand Turkey's unique position in that process.