February 27, 2009 - 00:27 AMT
U.S. will continue supporting Turkey accesion to the EU20
Turkey's Chief EU Negotiator, State Minister Egemen Bagis believes the U.S. support to Turkey's accession to the EU would continue under the Obama administration, turkishweekly.net reports.

Bagis received U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, James Jeffrey in Ankara. Bagis told reporters that the U.S. always attached great importance to Turkey's accession to the EU and extended open support to Turkey during membership negotiations.

"I'm sure the U.S. support to Turkey's full membership goal will continue with the new U.S. administration under Obama's Presidency," said Bagis.

Also speaking during the visit, Jeffrey said the U.S. had been supporting Turkey's accession to the EU.

Jeffrey said Turkey, a democratic and secular country, was an important ally of the United States. He said Turkey would play an important role in the west noting that Turkey's future was important for the United States.