LETTER FROM TURKEY MINISTER OF STATE TUZMEN TO

UNCLAS ANKARA 002769 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO USTR ZOELLICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD TU SUBJECT: LETTER FROM TURKEY MINISTER OF STATE TUZMEN TO AMBASSADOR ROBERT ZOELLICK Embassy Ankara received MFA Diplomatic Note 194783 presenting an original letter from Kurzad Tuzmen, Minister of State, to Ambassador Robert Zoellick, United States Trade Representative. The letter notes that the GOT's views are parallel with our own in the WTO talks on industrial goods, but hints at differences on the agriculture talks. Tuzmen also refers to continuing studies on a possible Qualifying Industrial Zone in Turkey. BEGIN TEXT: May 5, 2004 Dear Mr. Ambassador, I would like to express my great pleasure of meeting you during my visit to the United States last month. Throughout our discussions, I observed with great satisfaction the similarities in our views on many issues including certain items of the Doha Development Agenda. I am particularly delighted to see that the positions of our countries regarding market access in non-agricultural products are in parallel. On the other hand, while fully sharing your view that an ambitious result in agriculture is essential for the Doha package to proceed and succeed, I would like to emphasize once again the importance we attach to the introduction of some flexibility for the developing countries pertaining to the market access in agricultural products. I would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that we are carrying out the necessary studies to determine the appropriate sectors including the hi-tech industries for the QIZs in Turkey as we agreed in our meeting. With the conviction that our close cooperation will continue in the future, I hereby would like to extend an invitation to you to visit Istanbul at your earliest convenience. Expressing my best wishes and highest regards to you, I remain, Sincerely Yours, Kursad Tuzmen Minister of State END TEXT. EDELMAN