KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN US-TURKEY RELATIONS

The past week saw several key developments in US-Turkey relations that highlighted the new Administration’s and President Barack Obama’s perspectives on advancing the relationship between the two countries. President Obama reportedly called Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul last week, telling the leaders that Turkey played an important role for peace in its region. President Obama also expressed willingness to work with Turkey in many issues such as maintaining peace in the Middle East, ending PKK terrorism and relations with Armenia. High on the agenda in the talks between the leaders were developments in the Caucasus, Afghanistan, the Middle East and EU. According to a White House statement, President Obama voiced support for the growing Turkish-Iraqi relationship and the importance of cooperation in Middle East peace efforts.

The Turkish government has already voiced support of the President’s priorities by pleding Turkey’s support for US troop withdrawal from Iraq. Turkey’s İncirlik Air Base in southern Turkey has been used to transfer US troops and equipment to Iraq and Afghanistan. US troops could leave Iraq using the Iraqi-Turkish Habur border crossing and leave through the Incirlik Air Base. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that Turkey would be ready to accommodate any requests that may come from the US.

Last week US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell also visited Turkey and stated that the country will play a "key role" in President Barack Obama's efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. Mitchell, in Turkey as part of a regional tour that took him to Israel and the West Bank, said Ankara's close ties with Israel and Arab countries were an asset for Obama's promise to make Arab-Israeli peace a foreign policy priority.

"Turkey is a crucial ally of the United States and an important force for peace and security in the Middle East," Mitchell told reporters, after meeting Prime Minister Erdogan.

The State Department also announced that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will visit Turkey this week.