Suat KINIKLIOGLU, AK Deputy Chairman of External Affairs and Spokesman of the Turkish Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, met with Prof. Charles Wheelan and his group of 15 students from Chicago University on Monday December 22.

KINIKLIOGLU, in his speech in the meeting, evaluated the Turkish-American relations and explained Turkey's sensibilities and expectations from the new administration.

KINIKLIOGLU said that they hope to enter a new stage during Obama administration by restoring more positive outlook for bilateral relations. “The most important responsibility of Obama administration is how to define the Turkey-US relations in conformity with the interests of both sides. Turkey is no longer the Cold War’s satellite country. It has a key place with a crossroad between the Balkans, Black Sea, Caucasus, Middle-East and the East Mediterranean.  Turkey has been a regional power which has provided security and stability in its near abroad and has deepened political and economic relations with its neighbours. In this context, close cooperation between Turkey and US depends on grasping Turkey’s regional power and role by Obama and his team.” He added.

Prof Wheelan underlined that their aim to organize this meeting was to prepare a memorandum to Barack Obama about Turkey-USA relations. And this document aimed at analyzing the main concerns and will be crucial to strengthen relations.