Azerbaijan, Baku, August 24 / Trend U. Sadikhova /
U.S support for Turkey joining the EU meets Washington's strategic interests, taking into account the development of both countries' relations in recent years, Ex-Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State on Political Affairs, Marc Grossman, told journalists at the Centre for Strategic Studies on Aug. 24.
"The USA supports Turkey's membership to the EU as it is strategically beneficial. But it is the EU which must make the decision," he said.
Talks on Turkey joining the EU were launched in 2005. But according to experts' forecasts, Ankara will only be able to achieve it in 10-15 years.
The EU's main requirement for Turkey remains the acceleration of democratic reforms planned by a negotiating process. Ankara fully agreed with that.
The relations between Washington and Ankara improved on several points, especially after U.S military operations in Iraq in 2003. The main cause is U.S aid to Turkey used to combat the Kurdish Workers Party terror group, situated in the north of Iraq, said U.S ex-Ambassador to Turkey in 1990, Grossman, said.
The main aim of the Kurdish Workers Party, which combats the Turkish government, is to establish an independent Kurdish nation in the east of Turkey, situated to the north of Iraq.
The question of energy security is a new sphere for cooperation between the USA and Washington. The agreement on Nabucco gas pipeline signed in Ankara in July will play an important role in the future, Grossman said.
"Turkey has proved that it can play the role of a mediator in the Middle East peace process. I think that Ankara is a unique place where people can be secular and Muslims at the same time, Grossman said.
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