Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA3774
2006-06-27 14:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY MAINLY INTERESTED IN TEXTILE PROPOSAL,
how-toVZCZCXRO1946 PP RUEHAG RUEHAP RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHGI RUEHHM RUEHLZ RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHPB DE RUEHAK #3774 1781446 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 271446Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6886 INFO RUCNWTO/WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS ANKARA 003774
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS USTR FOR DWOSKIN/RHODE
GENEVA PASS USTR FOR ALLGEIER/SHARK
STATE/EB FOR CMOORE/WCRAFT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: WTRO ETRD ECON TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY MAINLY INTERESTED IN TEXTILE PROPOSAL,
SEEKS MEETING WITH USTR SCHWAB
REF: A. STATE 103940
B. STATE 104561
UNCLAS ANKARA 003774
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS USTR FOR DWOSKIN/RHODE
GENEVA PASS USTR FOR ALLGEIER/SHARK
STATE/EB FOR CMOORE/WCRAFT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: WTRO ETRD ECON TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY MAINLY INTERESTED IN TEXTILE PROPOSAL,
SEEKS MEETING WITH USTR SCHWAB
REF: A. STATE 103940
B. STATE 104561
1. (SBU) To ensure wide distribution among concerned Turkish
agencies, we provided a copy of ref A letter containing an
updated U.S. request in WTO services negotiations to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hand-delivered to Foreign
Trade Undersecretariat (FTU) Deputy Director General for
Multilateral Affairs Hasan Yalcin on June 27. Yalcin agreed
to pass this information to State Minister for Foreign Trade,
Kursad Tuzmen, who will attend the ministerial meetings in
Geneva beginning June 28, as well as to other Turkish
agencies. During our discussion of the current state of the
Doha Round (ref B),Yalcin focused on Turkey's proposal for
special treatment for the textiles sector and asked for
clarification on the U.S.'s position. Per conversations with
State and USTR, we explained that a U.S. position was under
review. Yalcin asked for our assistance in scheduling a
meeting between Minister Tuzmen and USTR Schwab in Geneva,
the request for which was coordinated through the Turkish
embassy in Washington.
2. (SBU) Yalcin reiterated that Turkey's views on the NAMA
negotiations are close to those of the U.S. On agriculture
however, Turkey does not support dramatic reuctions in
tariffs because they are the GOT's only means of protecting
Turkey's sensitive agriculture sector, which accounts for 30%
of employment, from foreign competition. "The import
pressure is far more important than our export potential when
it comes to agriculture," he added.
3. (SBU) Comment: We do not see that Turkey will take a
helpful position in pushing for a Doha Round conclusion that
provides for significantly greater market access in
agriculture. While Turkey views itself as a developed
country for the purposes of NAMA discussions, it falls more
into line with the EU on agricultural issues. However,
Tuzmen and his trade team will continue to focus the bulk of
their energy on trying to protect Turkey's large but ailing
textile sector, and they will most likely spend the majority
of their time in Geneva focusing on this issue. End comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS USTR FOR DWOSKIN/RHODE
GENEVA PASS USTR FOR ALLGEIER/SHARK
STATE/EB FOR CMOORE/WCRAFT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: WTRO ETRD ECON TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY MAINLY INTERESTED IN TEXTILE PROPOSAL,
SEEKS MEETING WITH USTR SCHWAB
REF: A. STATE 103940
B. STATE 104561
1. (SBU) To ensure wide distribution among concerned Turkish
agencies, we provided a copy of ref A letter containing an
updated U.S. request in WTO services negotiations to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hand-delivered to Foreign
Trade Undersecretariat (FTU) Deputy Director General for
Multilateral Affairs Hasan Yalcin on June 27. Yalcin agreed
to pass this information to State Minister for Foreign Trade,
Kursad Tuzmen, who will attend the ministerial meetings in
Geneva beginning June 28, as well as to other Turkish
agencies. During our discussion of the current state of the
Doha Round (ref B),Yalcin focused on Turkey's proposal for
special treatment for the textiles sector and asked for
clarification on the U.S.'s position. Per conversations with
State and USTR, we explained that a U.S. position was under
review. Yalcin asked for our assistance in scheduling a
meeting between Minister Tuzmen and USTR Schwab in Geneva,
the request for which was coordinated through the Turkish
embassy in Washington.
2. (SBU) Yalcin reiterated that Turkey's views on the NAMA
negotiations are close to those of the U.S. On agriculture
however, Turkey does not support dramatic reuctions in
tariffs because they are the GOT's only means of protecting
Turkey's sensitive agriculture sector, which accounts for 30%
of employment, from foreign competition. "The import
pressure is far more important than our export potential when
it comes to agriculture," he added.
3. (SBU) Comment: We do not see that Turkey will take a
helpful position in pushing for a Doha Round conclusion that
provides for significantly greater market access in
agriculture. While Turkey views itself as a developed
country for the purposes of NAMA discussions, it falls more
into line with the EU on agricultural issues. However,
Tuzmen and his trade team will continue to focus the bulk of
their energy on trying to protect Turkey's large but ailing
textile sector, and they will most likely spend the majority
of their time in Geneva focusing on this issue. End comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON