Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, recently visited Washington to meet with US officials and discuss various issues. Oktay emphasized the importance of building a 'more structured' relationship between Turkey and the United States through parliamentary diplomacy. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including Turkey-US relations, counterterrorism efforts, and regional conflicts [b2e09bcb].
During the meetings, Oktay expressed Turkey's opposition to the US cooperation with the PKK terrorist group and called on the US to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza. He also highlighted Turkey's concerns about the US partnering with the PKK, stating that Turkey cannot accept one of its NATO allies collaborating with a terrorist organization. Oktay and US officials agreed on a three-stage roadmap for establishing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, delivering humanitarian aid, and achieving a two-state solution. Oktay urged the US to increase pressure on Israel and stated that Turkey is ready to contribute to the efforts related to Palestine [b2e09bcb].
The discussions also addressed other important issues, such as the Cyprus issue, the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Turkey's potential purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the US, and the impact of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) [b2e09bcb].
These meetings highlight Turkey's ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationship with the United States through parliamentary channels. The discussions covered various key issues, demonstrating Turkey's commitment to addressing regional conflicts and promoting cooperation with its allies [b2e09bcb].
In addition to the parliamentary discussions, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat stated that Turkey is committed to achieving a $100 billion trade volume with the US. Bolat emphasized the need for further dialogue between the two countries and business communities at all levels to reach this target. He also highlighted the importance of communication channels and available platforms for closer cooperation. The 39th American-Turkish Conference in Washington, where Bolat made these remarks, serves as a venue for US and Turkish business leaders to engage in commercial diplomacy. The conference aims to showcase US-Turkish ties and collaboration in strategic sectors. Bolat also addressed the situation in Gaza, expressing Turkey's efforts to find a lasting ceasefire and restore peace in the region. Nail Olpak, President of Foreign Economic Relations of Türkiye (DEIK), emphasized the enduring partnership between Turkey and the US in fostering economic cooperation. Khush Choksy, senior vice president for Middle East, Central Asia, and Türkiye at the US Chamber of Commerce, stated that the conference will initiate a new chapter in trade and commerce relations between Turkey and the US. Murat Ozyegin, chairman of Türkiye-US Business Council (TAIK), highlighted the ability to compartmentalize political and economic relations as a defining aspect of the nearly 200-year friendship between Turkey and the US [49820532].
Furthermore, Istanbul recently hosted the Trade Winds event for the second time, the largest US government-led trade mission and business development forum. The three-day event, organized under the main theme of 'The Power of AI in Fostering Inclusivity and Innovation', was chosen to be held in Istanbul due to its advantageous geographical position between Asia and Europe. The selection of Istanbul is seen as a sign of the opportunities offered by Turkey. US firms attach importance to the event, and the host country is selected as a market that offers great opportunities. Istanbul is an ideal market for US companies due to Turkey's advantageous geographical position and high-quality industry. The event was attended by Heather Byrnes, US counselor for commercial affairs, and Etienne LeBailly, US economy counselor. Canan Ozsoy, vice chair of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Turkey, emphasized the long-term and strategic value that US businesses create for Turkey. Marisa Lago, counselor under the US secretary of commerce for international trade, highlighted the progress made in pursuing gender parity in both Turkey and the US. She also emphasized the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on business and the potential for leveraging AI to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workforce [3427049e].
These recent developments further strengthen the trade relations between Turkey and the US. The parliamentary discussions and the Trade Winds event demonstrate the commitment of both countries to fostering economic cooperation and addressing regional conflicts. Turkey's goal of achieving a $100 billion trade volume with the US reflects its determination to enhance bilateral trade. The events also highlight the potential for leveraging artificial intelligence to drive inclusivity and innovation in business [b2e09bcb] [3427049e].