"We are at a point where we can look with more confidence at the strength of our relations in the future," Tacan Ildem, spokesman for President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, told a press conference.

"The continuation of our strategic partnership is a priority and has great importance for both Turkey and the United States. There could be misunderstandings between partners sometimes but what matters is to find ways to eradicate them," Ildem said.

"Mr. Powell's visit should be seen as having this goal in mind," he added.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also expressed satisfaction with the talks.

"Doubts over Turkish-American ties have been dispelled," he told reporters before flying to Brussels for a meeting with NATO counterparts.

The decade-old alliance between the United States and the only Muslim member of NATO suffered a major setback in early March when the Turkish parliament rejected Washington's request to deploy troops in the country for an invasion of Iraq from the north.

The climate deteriorated further when Ankara insisted that it would send troops to Kurdish-held northern Iraq to ensure its border security, triggering harsh warnings from Washington.

Tensions have recently eased with the opening by Turkey of its airspace to US war planes and a pledge by Ankara to coordinate any move it might make in northern Iraq with Washington.

In response to requests by Powell, Ankara agreed Wednesday to allow the United States to supply food and fuel to its troops in northern Iraq by way of Turkey.

SPACE.WIRE