ERDOGAN MEETS MACEDONIAN LEADERS
On the last day of his three-day official visit to Croatia and Macedonia, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with Macedonian Parliament Speaker Ljupco Jordanovski and members of the Turkish-Macedonian Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group. The premier, accompanied by a Turkish delegation and his wife, also took time to tour the Turkish bazaar in Skopje. After completing his contacts, Erdogan returned to Ankara last night. /Turkiye/
GUL MEETS WITH US ASSISTANT SEC'Y OF STATE BOUCHER
The US is searching for ways to further develop cooperation with Turkey in Central Asia. Richard Boucher, US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, yesterday visit Ankara to test the waters for more cooperation. Boucher, who was received by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, "We're working on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project to bring more oil to Turkey." For his part, Gul said, "These countries are struggling to make progress in democracy. It's very important to support these countries," and added, "Cooperation is beneficial from the standpoint of democracy, security and stability. Energy creates various opportunities. They are trying to move closer to European-Atlantic structures. We have to be helpful on this issue." /Cumhuriyet/
FM SPOKESPERSON TAN CALLS ON THE EU TO IMPLEMENT CYPRUS ACTION PLAN
Turkey is reiterating its determination on its European Union bid. Speaking at a weekly press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Namik Tan yesterday said, "We're determined to proceed along the EU membership path." Asked about EU actors saying in Luxembourg this week that Turkey must open its airports and harbors to Greek Cyprus by the end of the year or its negotiations might be suspended, Tan said that these problems were not solvable through Turkey's efforts alone, and that Ankara had made serious sacrifices and initiatives up to now, including its Cyprus action plan. "Implementation of Turkey's action plan would make a great contribution to an overall solution of this problem," he said. Asked about reports the foreign minister would soon visit Iran, Tan said there were no plans for this, but added such a visit could happen if the need arises in the future. /Cumhuriyet/
CICEK VISITS BAYKAL, DISCUSS ANTI-TERROR BILL
Justice Minister Cemil Cicek yesterday visited Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal. During their meeting, Cicek said that the government wanted Parliament to pass the anti-terror bill before it goes on its summer recess next month. Speaking afterwards, Cicek stated that the anti-terror bill was at a subcommission now, adding that the subcommission could finish work on it next week. "We want this bill passed by Parliament before its summer recess," he added. /Star/
BAHCELI: "TURKISH-EU RELATIONS ARE LIKE A SOAP OPERA, FULL OF LIES AND INSINCERITY"
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday criticized the government's European Union policies, saying that Turkish-European relations were like a soap opera full of lies and insincerity. Saying that the government had accepted the impositions of the EU, Bahceli added that the government had told lies to the nation even though nothing had changed about the requirements on Cyprus. /Star/
DYP LEADER AGAR: "WE CAN CLEAR EU HURDLES WITH THE HELP OF NGOS"
Speaking at a symposium entitled "The Importance of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the European Union Process" held by his party's Istanbul branch, opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar yesterday said that the path to the European Union is a trip the nation must travel together, arm in arm. "Countries can no longer be ruled only by elected political staffs," he said. "We cannot ignore NGOs, which do the best job observing the problems of the country. The European Union membership process contains many difficulties. Transparency, keeping society informed and social participation are hugely important for overcoming these difficulties. We can overcome troubles with a strong political participation with the NGOs." /Hurriyet/
UNAKITAN: "I BELIEVE THE MARKET FLUCTUATIONS ARE TEMPORARY"
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan said that he believed the recent fluctuations in the markets were temporary in nature, thanks to sound public finances, a sound Central Bank, and a strong banking structure. Saying that people who buy foreign currency at a high exchange rate later regretted it when the rates fall, Unakitan added that people should act with common sense and stay calm. Commenting on the budget, Unakitan stressed that so far this year Turkey's budget has shown a surplus -- the first in 20 years -- and CB reserves had reached $60 billion. Unakitan further warned private sector actors, saying that they should strengthen their capital structures. He stated that there was no need for measures to reduce consumption due to recent economic developments, adding that measures would be taken if necessary. /Milliyet/
FITCH: "FLUCTUATIONS IN THE TURKISH MARKETS DON'T POSE THREAT TO ITS CREDIT OUTLOOK"
International rating agency Fitch yesterday declared that fluctuations in the Turkish markets didn't pose a threat to its credit note outlook. In a report, Fitch stated that there was need to act very carefully in order to ensure confidence in the markets again, adding that everything should be done to avoid political shocks. Fitch further stressed that there was no problem with Turkey's credibility in the long term. /Sabah/