The Third Annual Turkic American Convention and Gala

The 3rd Annual Turkic American Convention concluded with an Annual Gala as both sides praise the improving ties between the two countries.

The Convention, organized by the Turkic American Alliance (TAA) and the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON),

which represents six regional federations and over 200 community associations, cultural centers, business associations and educational institutions in the US, the closing gala of the third annual Turkic American Convention in Washington, D.C., hosted more than 700 people, including around 50 members of Congress, eight of whom were senators.

Dozens of members of the United States Congress have reaffirmed strong ties and growing friendship between Turks and Americans in an annual grand convention that also brought together businessmen and public figures.

Many politicians, academics and businessmen from the US, Turkey and the Turkic republics gathered at the closing ceremony. US House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi; Turkish Ambassador to the US Namık Tan, the ambassadors of the Turkic republics, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Ekrem Erdem, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Bülent Tezcan, 13 other Turkish deputies, members of parliament from the Turkic republics, Trabzon Governor Recep Kızılcık, İstanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş and Antalya Mayor Mustafa Akaydın were among the participants.

Tan thanked the TAA for organizing such an event and hailed its “noteworthy success.” Tan said Turkey’s relations with the US are based on three principles: mutual trust, unity of vision and close and effective cooperation. Tan said both countries trust each other, adding that the troops of both countries have fought together in countries like South Korea, Afghanistan and Somalia.

Tan also noted that Ankara and Washington share a common vision to promote peace, democracy, freedom and prosperity and that the two NATO members have strong, vibrant and functioning market economies.

Tan said the US and Turkey are working together on a range of issues, from the fight against terrorism to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

The ambassador said the administrations of both countries have developed a sincere, effective and results-focused dialogue on both the political and administrative level and added that US Secretary of State John Kerry’s first visit to a Muslim-majority country was to Turkey.

Tan commented that high-level meetings between Turkey and the US will continue in the upcoming months both in Washington and in Ankara.

In their remarks, Topbaş invited the participants to visit İstanbul, while Kızılcık expressed his gratitude to the organization.

Congress members stressed the strong ties between Turkey, the Turkic republics and Washington in their speeches and urged the parties to advance relations further.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen said she appreciates the activities of Turks in her constituency and welcomed the growing scope of the TAA convention.

Senator Bob Casey said relations between Turkey and the US have never been so strong and that he was very pleased when he visited Turkey in 2009. Casey added that he will go back to Turkey this year and visit İstanbul and Ankara again.

Democrat Representative Rush Holt of New Jersey said he is pleased to see that the TAA is growing bigger every year. Saying that Turkey has an important role as a mediator for peace in international politics, Holt noted that Turkey is a significant partner for the US in solving problems in the region. He added that Turkey will have great contributions to offer Washington for its policies in Turkey’s region.

Speaking about Syria, Holt said Turkey is taking on an important burden and he said he wants to see the violence end in Turkey’s neighbor to the south. Recalling the dire consequences of the Iraq war, Holt said the aim was to topple a dictator in Iraq, but everyone witnessed how difficult it is to do that from afar.

New York Representative Charlie Dent said he was proud to be at the event and he was very impressed during his visit to Turkey. He underlined the need to improve trade relations between Turkey and the US.

Dent, who visited Gaziantep recently, said there is only 100 kilometers between Gaziantep and Syria and that Turkey needs US help dealing with the violence in Syria.

“We are concerned about Turkey regarding Syria,” Dent added.

Representative Leonard Lance, also of New Jersey, said the Turkish community in his constituency is “very important” and that he is happy to be among the event participants.

Congratulating the TAA for its works, Erdem said this unity will not only be reflected in important works between Turkey and the US but also with other Turkic republics.

Richard Lui from MSNBC was the emcee of the gala.