ERDOGAN, MERKEL SPEAK ABOUT IRAN
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently had a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, reportedly to discuss the latest developments on Iran's controversial nuclear program. The conversation took place last week during a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Prime Ministry spokesperson Akif Beki yesterday said that the Iran issue hadn't been discussed during the conversation. /Cumhuriyet/
SEZER: "TACKLING EMPLOYMENT, POVERTY, CORRUPTION AND THE INFORMAL ECONOMY CONTINUE TO TAKE PRIORITY"
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday that the tight monetary and fiscal policies of Turkey's economic program had led to improvement in some economic balances, adding that continuing to take such steps was of great importance. In a speech at a summit on "Change and Continuity in Family Companies" sponsored by the Ankara Chamber of Industry, President Sezer said, "The permanency and continuity of further steps to be taken are of great significance. The economy shouldn't be dealt with using short-term strategies." He added, "In addition to problems increasing volatility, troubles such as employment, poverty, corruption and the informal economy continue to take priority on our economic agenda." /Hurriyet/
ERDOGAN CALLS FOR COOPERATION IN FIGHTING TERRORISM
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday delivered a speech entitled "Dialogue Among Civilizations" at the Arab League summit in Sudan. Erdogan stressed the historical bonds between Turkey and the Arab world and said, "Thus, contributing to the stability, security and welfare of the Arab world has priority in our policies." Underlining that the world shouldn't be deceived by people seeking a "clash of civilizations," Erdogan also called for cooperation in fighting terrorism. During his speech, Erdogan also touched on developments in Iraq, saying, "Turkey wants to see a democratic Iraq with territorial integrity which can preserve political unity and stability and establish peaceful relations with its neighbors." /Star/
BRYZA: "TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP HAS KEY ROLE IN COUNTERING RADICAL ISLAM"
A top US diplomat late Monday stressed democratic, secular Turkey's crucial role in countering the rise of radical Islam, and stated that Washington's support for its European Union membership stems from Ankara's stance in the ideological divide within the Muslim world. US Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Matt Bryza made the remarks at the 25th Annual Conference of the Turkish American Business Council (TAIK) and American Turkish Council (ATC), where Turkey's EU bid was at the forefront of the discussions. The conference was held in Washington. Bryza described Turkey as a "successful country" with its majority-Muslim population but democratic and secular governmental system. EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-President Joost Lagendijk also told the meeting that the Union has made grave mistakes regarding the Cyprus issue, and this has resulted in an atmosphere where it is difficult to find common ground on the dispute over the divided island. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political advisor and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Istanbul Deputy Egemen Bagis expressed Turkish decisiveness on its path to the EU despite emerging difficulties. /The New Anatolian/
OLLI REHN: "TURKEY IS AN IMPORTANT BRIDGE"
Speaking to reporters yesterday, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said, "We could face a period of political tension in Turkish-EU relations," and added, "Skilful diplomacy is needed in order to prevent a train accident." Rehn said that Finland, which will assume the EU term presidency this July, would need to use all its diplomatic skills to prevent a derailment at the end of the year. Rehn also said that the Muhammed cartoon crisis which rocked the Islamic world showed how valuable a bridge Turkey can be. /Turkiye/