Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said yesterday that Turkey should continue its European Union accession process and reforms, adding that if it doesn't get into the club, it should develop a closer partnership with the U.S. Kissinger, in Istanbul this week for the annual Bilderberg meeting, made the remarks at a conference on global developments and Turkey. He said that Turkey's being part of the European system carries great strategic importance. An immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would spread the crisis to neighboring countries, warned Kissinger. He added that the U.S. would not welcome a cross-border operation by Turkey into northern Iraq, Milliyet reports.