Nov 16 - United Press International

U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Friday hailed Turkey as an important energy gateway between the East and the West.

It is undeniable that Turkey is evolving into a vital energy transit hub, he told the Turkish-U.S. Business Council in Istanbul.

Bodman spoke mostly about energy-related matters, the need for access, international cooperation, security, accelerated output and a need to promote energy efficiency around the world. I, for one, remain convinced that an open and competitive market is the most efficient way to address questions of supply, demand and price, the energy secretary said.

He said nations need to embark on a new era of global cooperation that drives a global diversification of energy supplies and energy suppliers. We need to accelerate the development of advanced technologies that will power our future.

As part of his two-day visit to Turkey, Bodman also held a bilateral meeting with Hilmi Guler, the Turkish minister of energy and natural resources.