ANKARA HOSTS SWEDISH KING AND QUEEN
Sweden's King Carl Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia yesterday held contacts in Ankara. The monarchs started their stay in Ankara by visiting Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum. Afterwards, Gustaf and Silvia were welcomed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the Cankaya Presidential Palace with an official ceremony. After the ceremony, Sezer and his wife met with the royal couple. After the meeting, King Gustaf proceeded to a luncheon given in his honor by Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. Sezer also gave a banquet in Gustaf's honor. /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN: "TURKEY'S INTERNATIONAL STANDING IS RISING"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that Turkey's international standing was improving. Addressing the Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group meeting, Erdogan said that as the country grows powerful inside, it also gains strength in the international arena. Erdogan stressed that in line with Turkey's rising prestige, its economy is also developing, with exports doubling, going from $36 billion to $73.4 billion as of the end of last year. Pointing to the government's political and economic efforts, Erdogan said his visits to foreign countries were continuing and would result in major benefits. Furthermore, the premier yesterday attended the opening of Kanyon Mall in Istanbul and a ceremony to begin work to strengthen Istanbul's bridges with the cooperation of Turkish and Japan firms. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN RECEIVES US CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday received a delegation from the US House of Representatives. During the meeting, Erdogan stated that the isolation imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be ended and emphasized the importance of protecting the status of Kirkuk, Iraq by providing just representation. The Cyprus issue, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iraq and the so-called Armenian genocide were also discussed at the meeting. /Star/
GUL: "OUR BERLIN AMBASSADOR IS CARRYING OUT HIS DUTIES"
Turkish Ambassador to Berlin Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik is carrying out his duties and pursuing his mission, said Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday after receiving the ambassador. Speaking to reporters, Gul said that Irtemcelik is currently in Ankara to prepare for German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visit to Turkey this week. Asked whether Irtemcelik had been offended by a recent incident in Berlin with Turkey's prime minister, Gul said, "His appointment to Germany was made by the prime minister as well as with the approval of the president. There is no problem." /Sabah/
RUSSIAN, GERMAN FMS TO VISIT TURKEY
Russian Foreign Minister Sergev Lavrov is set to arrive in Ankara today for two days of talks with Turkish leaders on bilateral relations. Lavrov will meet with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer today. Tomorrow he is expected to have talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc before departing for Istanbul to visit the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) headquarters. Russia this month took over the rotating BSEC chairmanship until October. In addition, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will arrive in Ankara tomorrow evening. Talks with Turkish leaders are expected to focus on bilateral relations, Turkey's European Union process and the Cyprus issue, as well as the Middle East issue and the dispute over Iran's nuclear program. /Turkish Daily News/
TURKEY'S SPECIAL ENVOY CELIKKOL IN BAGHDAD
After the establishment of the new government in Iraq, Turkey is again moving against the terrorist PKK presence in northern Iraq. Turkey's Special Representative to Iraq Oquz Celikkkol went to this country and conveyed Ankara's requests about the terrorist group. Celikkol also expressed Ankara's views on Kirkuk to officials of the new government. A Foreign Ministry statement said yesterday that Celikkol went to Iraq to convey Turkey's support to the new Iraqi government formed on May 20 under the leadership of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Celikkol will convey written messages from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to their Iraqi counterparts, the statement said. Celikkol will be received by Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Vice President Tariq-al Hashimi and Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih during his stay in Baghdad. /Cumhuriyet/
CHP LEADER BAYKAL: "LET'S COME TOGETHER, WHOEVER YOU ARE"
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday reiterated his call for left- and right-wing proponents of secularism to join forces under one roof. Echoing the famous words of mystic Sufi poet Mevlana Rumi, "Come, whoever you are," Baykal said, "Let's come together, whoever you are." Speaking at CHP group meeting, Baykal said there were forces trying to alter the secular and democratic republic system, adding that the task of protecting the republic shouldn't be left to the military but rather assumed by all citizens. /Aksam/
TURKEY, RUSSIA SIGN NATURAL GAS PACT
Ankara and Moscow will discuss ways to provide a permanent flow of natural gas from Russia to Turkey and also to cut natural gas prices, said State Minister Kursad Tuzmen after a Turkey-Russia Joint Economic Commission (KEK) meeting in Istanbul yesterday. A protocol was signed at the end of the meeting by the KEK co-chairs. The protocol was also signed by Tuzmen and Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko. /Turkiye/
ANKARA, TRNC INK PROTOCOL
An additional protocol was signed yesterday between Turkey and the TRNC under the economic assistance and cooperation protocol of 2005. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Stata Minister Abdullatif Sener signed the protocol. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sener said, "Our cooperation has made valuable contributions to economic developments in the TRNC. The second additional protocol will provide the TRNC with a loan of $135 million." /Turkiye/
PRITZKER ARCHITECTURE PRIZE PRESENTED IN ISTANBUL
Hyatt Foundation Chairman Thomas J. Pritzker, at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace, yesterday presented the Pritzker Architecture Award to Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha. In addition to a number of distinguished guests, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler attended the ceremony. Speaking at the gathering, Erdogan pointed out that Istanbul was overflowing with famous works designed by great architects from various cultures and civilizations, adding that it had presented its architectural and cultural richness to the service of the people. /Turkiye/