Panetta to Reinforce Strong U.S.-Turkey Partnership
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2011 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today to reinforce the United States’ strong relationship with a critical security partner within the region and NATO.
Panetta traveled here after ceremonies in Iraq marking the end of the U.S. Forces Iraq mission, with stops also in Afghanistan and Djibouti.
In Ankara, the secretary will meet with President Abdullah Gul and Turkish defense leaders to thank them for their country’s leadership during a period of transition and change within the region.
“Turkey represents a key ally in the Middle East,” Panetta told reporters traveling with him.
In addition to being a strong NATO ally, Turkey is “extremely important to the ability to try to keep what is happening in the Middle East headed in the right direction,” he said.
“They can have an influence on what happens in Egypt, what happens i
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66486
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