Turkish policymakers are planning to intensify contacts with the U.S. Congress, where many are raising questions on the future of ties with Ankara after Turkey voted against further UN sanctions on Iran and amid a deterioration in Turkish-Israeli ties, Today's Zaman reported.

The decision to reach out to Congress came after a series of talks between a Turkish delegation and senior U.S. administration officials in Washington earlier this week. Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu and Deputy Undersecretaries Tacan Ildem and Selim Yenel met with U.S. officials, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs William Burns, National Security Council Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy and Special Envoy of the Secretary of State for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar.

The campaign is foreseen to be launched after the Congressional elections due November 2010.