"Turkey is essential for regional stability in the Middle East, and has contributed to the war efforts in Afghanistan," Breaux said. "It's time to allow Turkey to participate in the Qualified Industrial Zone program so the nation may bolster its economy by trading duty-free with the United States."
Grassley said, "Turkey is a key ally of the United States. Its unwavering support for our joint efforts to fight terrorism is a testament to our strong friendship. We need to continue working together to foster greater stability in the region. Enabling Turkey to participate in the Qualified Industrial Zone program can help attract foreign investment to Turkey and build greater regional stability. The program will also enhance trade between Turkey and Israel, adding an economic dimension to their already strong and unique security relationship."
McCain said, "Turkey's deepening, and unique, strategic relationship with Israel, command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, partnership in NATO, and support for U.S. policy toward Iraq place it in the first order of American allies. Turkish troops have fought alongside U.S. forces from Korea to Kabul. As a Muslim nation and a secular democracy, Turkey puts to rest the myth that America's war on terror is a war on Islam. Turkey deserves our support, and I hope Congress will act swiftly on our legislation to advance Israeli-Turkish cooperation and American interests in the region."
The senators introduced the Turkish-Israeli Economic Enhancement Act, which would allow qualified products from Turkey to be eligible for duty-free entry into the United States under the Qualified Industrial Zone program. Congress established the Qualified Industrial Zone program in 1996 to facilitate economic cooperation between Israel, Egypt and Jordan. The program has helped to foster greater economic cooperation among these three nations. Allowing Turkey to participate in the program will foster even greater economic growth and stability in the region.
The new Breaux-Grassley-McCain bill would amend Section 9(e)(1) of the United States- Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act of 1985, as amended, (the "FTA Act") by expanding the definition of "qualifying industrial zones" to include portions of the territory of Israel and Turkey. Under the FTA Act, the President may proclaim duty-free benefits for certain products produced within the qualifying industrial zones. The Turkish-Israeli Economic Enhancement Act would allow the President to proclaim duty-free benefits for certain products -- excluding certain import-sensitive products -- of qualifying industrial zones established jointly by Israel and Turkey. The Turkish-Israeli Economic Enhancement Act would foster cooperation between Israel and Turkey and help promote economic growth, opportunity and development in Turkey, a vital security partner in NATO and a key ally in the war against terrorism.