On his visit to Turkey in April 2009, President Barack Obama chose the term "model partnership" to describe Turkish-U.S. relations and stressed that economic cooperation between the two countries reinforces the common security interests that Europe and the United States share with Turkey. Even though U.S.-Turkish economic exchanges have nearly doubled over the past decade, there is still opportunity for further growth—especially given Turkey’s role as a regional hub connecting the Middle East with Europe and other parts of the world. The efforts of President Obama to revitalize U.S.-Turkish relations more broadly offer a tremendous opportunity for both countries to work together to craft a new and lasting relationship that will be beneficial to both sides.
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke will discuss the future of U.S.-Turkish trade relations and its importance for strategic partnership between the two countries.
Introduction by:
John Podesta, President and CEO, Center for American Progress
Greetings by:
Rizanur Meral, President of TUSKON
Remarks by:
Gary Locke, U.S. Secretary of Commerce