speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Eric S. Edelman before meeting with Huseyin Celik, Minister of Education

At the Ministry of Education, Ankara, Turkey, October 31, 2003

Ambassador Eric Edelman: I'm very greatfull to Minister Celik for receiving me today for my initial courtesy call on him. Before I became a diplomat, I myself was an educator, and education issues are issues to which I attach great importance. Turkey in that regard is unique, because it sends more students to university in the United States than any other European country or any other Muslim country. We have also had over the years a very, very successful Fulbright program in Turkey, sending Turkish scholars to the United States and distinguished American scholars to Turkey. We've also been involved in providing a number of English language teachers to Turkey who can also help with the writing of textbooks, among other activities. I believe that both the United States and Turkey face a common challenge, which is in a globally integrated world economy to maintain the highest possible intellectual and educational standards in universities. In this way, we can make sure that our two countries can remain competitive in an increasingly challenging economic environment. I look forward to discussing all of those issues with the Minister today.