’Ties to be improved with the US’

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

Erdoğan said several matters including Turkey's position in the Middle East, the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq and Turkey’s role in Afghanistan would be discussed during U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Turkey. Erdoğan said Turkey's role in Middle East peace efforts would be high on the agenda, adding that Ankara was ready to revive indirect negotiations between Israel and Syria, stalled since the Israelis launched an offensive on the Gaza Strip in December.

Bilateral relations

The incidents of 1915, the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, and problems between Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia would also be discussed during Obama's visit to Turkey, he said. The United States could play a leading role in putting an end to these problems, Erdoğan said.

"I consider the relations between Turkey and the U.S. should be enhanced," he said, adding that Turkey was ready to do all it could for restoring peace in the Middle East.

Bilateral ties were strained under former U.S. President George W. Bush when Turkey refused to allow U.S. troops to use its territory in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. During a visit to Ankara earlier this month, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the new Washington administration wished to undo Bush's legacy and buttress relations.