U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce David Sampson yesterday stressed that both the U.S. and Turkey share same concerns regarding terrorism and both countries want a stabilized Iraq that can control its own borders.

A delegation presided by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce David Sampson met Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, State Minister Kursat Tuzmen and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarciklioglu.

The delegation, Sampson and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson visited Hisarciklioglu at his office.

Upon a question regarding northern Iraq, Sampson said he is in Ankara to evaluate investment and trade relations however he said both Turkey and the U.S. share same concerns on terror.

Sampson noted that he will also meet private sector and government officials to strengthen commercial and economic relations.

Meanwhile Ambassador Wilson said "The U.S. supports Turkey's fight against PKK. Every country hold the right to protect its citizens from terror. We ever so often talk to Iraqi officials to prevent attacks to Turkey and to avoid northern Iraq from becoming a terror base."

Tuzmen urges US to invest more in Turkey

State Minister responsible for foreign trade Kursad Tuzmen Wednesday said Turkey plans to increase the trade volume with the United States and expect the U.S. entrepreneurs to invest more in production and services sectors in Turkey.

Tuzmen received on Wednesday Sampson and a delegation at the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat in Ankara.

"The total exports of the U.S. are around $1 trillion and the total amount of imported goods worth almost $1.8 trillion. The trade volume between Turkey and the U.S. is $11 billion. $5 billion of this trade are Turkish exports to the U.S. while $6 billion are imports from the U.S.," said Tuzmen.

Complaining that these figures are well balanced but insufficient Tuzmen noted that "The U.S.' trade with Turkey consists only 3 percent of all its foreign trade and we plan to raise our trade volume."

Stressing on the importance of relations with Turkey U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce David Sampson indicated that "There are strategic relations between Turkey and the U.S. going from economic issues to security."

Sampson said Turkey is one of the fastest growing countries in the world and it made some prominent economic reforms in the past 5-6 years. Sampson also said the U.S. government wishes to increase the trade and investment volume with Turkey.