President Gul says Obama's visit to show Turkey's global importance

"There are strategic and quite important relations between Turkey and the U.S. Those relations go beyond the issues concerning our countries. Turkey and the United States hold perpetual consultations about regional and international developments from Afghanistan to the Middle East," Gul told a news conference before leaving Brussels for Ankara.

He said Turkey is pleased with Obama's decision to pay a visit to the country, and added this will enable the countries to hold mutual consultations on a range of issues.

"I also think that this visit will show Turkey's global importance to the whole world," he was quoted by Anatolian Agency as saying.

"Turkey and the United States cooperate with each other in the fight against terrorism. We benefit from the United States' cooperation especially in our efforts to track down terrorist camps outside Turkey.

"In today's world, no one can reach their targets through acts of terrorism. All illegal organizations, including the PKK will be eliminated. Both the EU and the regional countries realized this fact. During my visit to Iraq last week, I held talks with both the central government officials and the regional Kurdish administration. Those talks revealed that no one will tolerate terrorism," he said.

Turkey, provided with intelligence by the United States, has been carrying out military operations against the terror organization PKK both inside Turkey and in northern Iraq.

The PKK, which launches cross-border attacks on Turkey from bases in northern Iraq, is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, including the EU and the United States.Â

BOOSTING BILATERAL TIES
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said late Thursday that the level of Turkish-U.S. relations is inadequate and bilateral ties need to be boosted.

"I do not find the level of Turkey-U.S. relations adequate. I believe the relations between Turkey and the United States should be enhanced," Erdogan told in an interview with broadcaster Show TV weeks ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's planned Turkey visit.Â

Obama is scheduled to visit Turkey on April 6-7. He will hold bilateral talks in Ankara and is also expected to attend an Istanbul meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative aimed at fostering dialogue between the West and Muslim countries.

Erdogan said several matters including Turkey's position in the Middle East, the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq and the role of Turkey in Afghanistan would be discussed during Obama's visit to the country.

The 1915 incidents, the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, problems between Russia and Georgia as well as Azerbaijan and Armenia are also expected to be discussed during the U.S. president’s visit to Turkey, he added.

Erdogan said the United States could play a leading role in bringing about an end to these problems, adding that Obama's visit to Turkey will constitute a significant foundation for the future of bilateral relations.

U.S. relations with Turkey soured in 2003 when Washington’s plans to dispatch troops to invade Iraq from the north from bases inside Turkey were thwarted by the country’s lawmakers who voted against the move.

Since then, relations have gradually warmed between the two fellow members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Turkey, who plays a key role as the new administration prepares to withdraw its troops from Iraq, to boost troops in Afghanistan and to seek peace in the Middle East, signaled last week that it would be willing to allow the transit of U.S. troops through the country.

ISRAEL-SYRIA TALKS
Erdogan also told Thursday that Turkey is ready to mediate between Israel and Syria if the two agree to resume stalled indirect talks.

Turkey mediated four rounds of indirect talks between Israel and Syria last year, but the process was suspended in December after the Jewish state launched a deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Erdogan said the negotiations could be revived if both countries wished, adding that the prospect would depend also on the attitude of the new Israeli government, which is yet to take office after elections in February.

"If they make such a request to Turkey, we will do our best," he said.

"We are determined to do whatever we can for peace in the Middle East... All issues should be resolved at the negotiating table," he added.

The Gaza offensive also strained Israel’s ties with Turkey, which has been the Jewish state's main regional ally since the two signed a military cooperation agreement in 1996.

Turkey was among the countries that directed the harshest criticism against Israel over its Gaza operations which killed more than 1,300 people.