[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 2, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    U.S.-TURKEY BILATERAL RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2016

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the strong and 
important relationship between the Republic of Turkey and the United 
States. For years, Turkey has been an indispensable strategic, 
geopolitical and economic partner of the U.S.
  Turkey is a significant ally in confronting the challenges of the 
21st century, such as international terrorism, ethnic and religious 
extremism, energy security, and the proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction. Ankara is a central stakeholder in the ongoing efforts to 
resolve the Syrian Civil War and aid its victims. I witnessed this 
firsthand when I visited a refugee camp in Kilis, Turkey. The Turkish 
government and other surrounding nations have made selfless investments 
to meet the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people and must be 
applauded for these efforts.
  In addition to our strong geopolitical ties, economic cooperation is 
increasingly becoming a major aspect of the Turkey-U.S. bilateral 
relationship. Turkey has become an indispensable U.S. trading partner, 
constituting a large and growing market for United States exports. In 
2015, Turkey was identified as Europe's third-fastest growing economy, 
and its increasing energy demand makes it an appealing market for 
continued U.S. investment.
  Mr. Speaker, with the continuing threat of the Islamic State, the 
uncertainty of the situation in Syria, and an ever increasingly 
globalized economy it is now more important than ever to reaffirm our 
commitment to, and cooperation with, the Republic of Turkey. I look 
forward to strengthening and growing the U.S.-Turkey relationship in 
the years ahead.

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