Agricultural Counselor Meeting with Mehdi Eker, Minister of

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SUBJECT: Agricultural Counselor Meeting with Mehdi Eker, Minister of
Agriculture,


Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution.


1. (SBU) Summary. In an October 10 meeting at the Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA),AgCouns and Minister Mehdi
Eker discussed key topics regarding agricultural cooperation.
Minister Eker thanked USDA for hosting him last month in Washington,
and said he looked forward to Secretary Johanns' coming to Turkey,
and to signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on
agricultural cooperation. On Avian Influenza (AI) Minister Eker
said he appreciated U.S. support and recognition of Turkey's
potential as a regional model for AI response. He said he was
amenable to hosting a ceremonial signing of the USAID AI assistance
grant with the Ambassador. He also responded to Agcouns' queries
about pet food and biotechnology legislation. Deputy Undersecretary
Ferhat Shelli also attended. End Summary.

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Ministerial Travel and Memorandum of Understanding
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2. (SBU) At an October 10 courtesy call by newly-arrived AgCouns,
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Mehdi Eker
expressed his thanks to USDA for hosting him in Washington last
month. Pointing out that it has been 25 years since a U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture has visited Turkey, he said he looks

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forward to a reciprocal visit to Turkey by Secretary Johanns, hoping
it would include the signing of an MOU on agricultural cooperation.
He repeated that he had invited U.S. Agriculture Secretary Johanns
to visit Turkey and that he understood that Secretary Johanns had
accepted the invitation.

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Minister's Comments on Avian Influenza
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4. (SBU) Minister Eker stated that MARA is preparing for the
migratory season and is working very closely with the Ministry of
Health. He said that his government is creating a national
communication plan to respond to expected outbreaks of AI. Agcouns
offered assistance if the Ministry wished to find an outside expert
on risk communication.


5. (SBU) Agcouns informed the Minister that the Ambassador had
expressed an interest in Turkey's potential as a regional leader in
managing AI. Minister Eker agreed, replying that he would like
Turkey to continue to expand its position as a regional role model.
He said he would direct his staff to coordinate with the Ministry of
Health and international organizations such as FAO and WHO to
organize an international seminar on coordinating efforts to prepare
for and handle the next avian influenza crisis. Because AI is a
trans-boundary disease and a global issue, he said he hoped not only
Turkey's neighbors, but also North African and Central Asian
countries, Russia, Ukraine and Israel could attend.


6. (SBU) Agcouns asked Minister Eker if he would be willing to host
a signing ceremony for the $1 million USAID grant for avian
influenza activities. Minister Eker said that he would be happy to
host such a ceremony. He replied favorably to a suggested November
7 date. (Note: FAS will coordinate to finalize date).

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Minister's Comments on Other Agricultural Issues
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6. (SBU) PET FOOD: Agcouns thanked the Minister for his staff's
efforts in resolving the pet food dioxin certification issue. Both
Minister Eker and DUS Shelli confirmed that a letter had been sent
last week instructing Provincial Directorate offices that U.S. pet
food shipments no longer were required to have additional dioxin
certification. Shelli said an official letter with this information
would be sent to Embassy very soon (Note: After the meeting FAS
received a fax copy of this letter, which has been forwarded to
Washington agencies).


7. (SBU) BIOTECHNOLOGY: Minister Eker confirmed rumors that a new
draft Biosafety Law was circulating at a high level. (Comment:
Post is making attempts to obtain an advance copy of this draft) He
added that a new Seed Law, closely linked with the draft
biotechnology law, will be voted on in Parliament by next week.


8. (SBU) GSM-102 AND OTHER ASSISTANCE: Agcouns shared with the
Minister the October 6 USDA press release announcing the FY 07
GSM-102 program and briefly explained its benefits to Turkey.
Agcouns also mentioned that USDA hoped to work closely with the
Ministry to decide how best to provide technical assistance to
improve the competitiveness of Turkish agriculture, as increased
competitiveness would reduce protectionist resistance to market
opening. Minister Eker expressed his thanks and willingness to
cooperate.


WILSON