Washington / Ankara, 11/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - Meeting the leader of the AKO Erdogan in Washington on Wednesday, President Bush assured him, before the press, that "we join you, side by side, in your desire to become a member of the European Union. We appreciate your friendship in NATO". "You're a strategic ally and friend of the United States, and we look forward to working with you to keep the peace", said George Bush. As for Mr. Erdogan, he declared: "undoubtedly we see our bid to European Union membership as the most important modernisation project of our country since the establishment of the republic … It's a turning pint in history …. We are aware of your support and are very appreciative. But it shouldn't end there. We expect t continue now".
Furthermore, according to Reuters, the Turkish Central Bank said that the possibility of a war in Iraq and the risk of deterioration in relations with the EU could jeopardise the anti-inflation programme that Turkey intends implementing in 2003.