ERDOGAN, GUL RETURN IN HIGH SPIRITS FROM THESSALONIKI SUMMIT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul returned in high spirits to Ankara this weekend after the conclusion of the European Union’s summit in Thessaloniki (Salonika), Greece. Speaking after their return, Gul lauded the atmosphere of the summit, saying it had been positive to an extent never before seen. “All the remarks from the summit were positive,” he added. During the summit, the Union reiterated its pledge to review Turkey’s progress on its EU membership bid in late 2004 and decide then whether or not to begin its accession talks. Last week the government passed a sixth EU harmonization package including several reforms for its membership bid. /Turkish Daily News/
ERDOGAN: “THE GOVERNMENT WILL PASS ALL NECESSARY REFORMS TO FULFILL THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA”
Speaking to Greek daily to Vima yesterday, Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged that the government would pass all necessary further reforms in order to carry out the European Union’s Copenhagen criteria. The premier added that the EU had taken positive decisions regarding Turkey’s membership bid during Greece’s term presidency, which draws to a close next week, adding that he appreciated Athens’ positive approach. /Milliyet/
GUL MEETS POWELL, ANNAN, OTHER LEADERS AT WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
During the World Economic Forum in Amman, Jordan, yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Gul told reporters that during their talks, Turkey’s role in Iraq’s reconstruction had been discussed. In addition, Gul met with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and reportedly told him that the embargo on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) must be lifted. In a separate meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Gul said that Turkey supported the peace road map to resolve the Middle East conflict. For his part, Shalom asked for Gul’s help in mediating between Israel and the Palestinians in direct talks. Gul also met with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou. No statement was made following that meeting. /All Papers/
GENERAL STAFF OFFICE READIES PROPOSAL TO SHORTEN COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE
The General Staff Office recently took a significant step forward in Turkey’s EU membership bid by preparing a proposal to shorten the nation’s period of compulsory military service for males. The proposal suggests cutting the number of Turkey’s active-duty soldiers by 17% and shortening the current compulsory 18 months of military service to 15. After the General Staff Office presented it to the government, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the proposal would be discussed at today’s Cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul remarked that he believed the proposal would be approved by the government without any changes since the key institution in determining the duration of military service was the General Staff Office. “The duration of military service will thus be more appropriate to the conditions of our age,” said Gonul. /Hurriyet/
BUSH SENDS CYPRUS REPORT TO US CONGRESS
US President George W. Bush has sent the US Congress a periodic progress report covering the latest developments on Cyprus. House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert and Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bill Frist received the report. “The United States remains committed to finding a just and lasting settlement for Cyprus,” said Bush in a letter accompanying the report. “Serious efforts continued during this reporting period to persuade the two sides on Cyprus to resume negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations Good Offices Mission for Cyprus, on the basis of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's proposed settlement plan. As in the past, US officials, including Secretary of State Powell, Undersecretary of State Marc Grossman, Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Weston, Ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson, Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson, and Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller provided intensive diplomatic support to this process.” /Star/
KETI CLERIDES: “TURKISH CYPRIOT OPPOSITION GROUPS ARE OUR POTENTIAL ALLIES”
Greek Cyprus should work to boost its ties with “potential allies” among political opposition groups in Turkish Cyprus, a prominent Greek Cypriot has urged. Speaking in the current issue of Greek Cypriot magazine Selides, Keti Clerides, the daughter of former Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and a former parliamentarian, criticized both the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Ankara for an alleged failure to help the Cypriot peace process. “We should strengthen our cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot opposition groups, for they can help us to find a permanent solution on the island,” stated Clerides. /Cumhuriyet/
IRAQI OIL FROM KIRKUK-YUMURTALIK PIPELINE LOADED ONTO TANKERS
The first oil transferred through the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik oil pipeline in the aftermath of the Iraq war was loaded onto tanker ships yesterday. To mark the occasion, a ceremony was held at the facilities of Turkey’s Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) at the Anatolian port city of Ceyhan-Yumurtalik. Speaking at the ceremony, senior US advisor to the Iraqi Oil Ministry Philip Caroll said that revenues from the oil sales would be used to benefit the Iraqi people. /Turkiye/
FINANCE MINISTER UNAKITAN VISITS ROMANIA, PLEDGES TO END IMF LOANS NEXT YEAR
Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan yesterday traveled to Romania to pay an official visit at the invitation of his Romanian counterpart Mihai Nicolae Tanesescu. The two leaders headed their respective delegations during bilateral meetings. At a press conference, Unakitan told journalists that Turkey was planning to cease taking loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as of next year. “However, Turkey will continue to carry out the IMF programs which are beneficial for itself,” said Unakitan. “Cutting altogether our relations with the Fund is out of the question.” /Turkiye/
BABACAN: “TURKEY WILL ACHIEVE ITS 5% GROWTH AND 20% INFLATION TARGETS”
Speaking at a conference on “Turkey’s Role in the Middle East” at the World Economic Forum in Amman, Jordan yesterday, State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan pledged that this year Turkey would achieve its targets of 5% growth and 20% inflation. Babacan told the conference that there were no longer any bureaucratic obstacles to international investment in Turkey. Touching on the state of the Middle East, the economy minister said that the region’s most pressing problems were economic instability and political uncertainty, adding that a peaceful atmosphere would also contribute to economic development. Also touching on postwar Iraq, he said that slated US economic compensation to Turkey over Iraq might be used by Turkish entrepreneurs for Iraq’s reconstruction. /Milliyet/
SUREYYA AYHAN WINS IN 1,500-METER DASH IN EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP
Turkish runner Sureyya Ayhan yesterday scored another honor for Turkey by capturing first place in the 1,500-meter dash competition at the European Nations Cup in Istanbul. Ayhan’s winning time of 4:06:63 also racked up 12 points for the Turkish team. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Ayhan said she felt heartened by all the support she had received. Ayhan’s trainer Yucel Kop said that next the celebrated runner had set her sights on the world championship. /All Papers/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION