ERDOGAN MEETS WITH PAKISTANI PM AZIZ
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz. During the meeting at the Prime Ministry residence in Ankara, the two premiers reportedly discussed regional issues as wells as bilateral political and commercial relations. /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN: "INFLATION TARGETS WILL BE MET"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that the government's fight with inflation was continuing, and they believed that the economic targets set for the mid and long terms would be met. Addressing a meeting of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) in Ankara, Erdogan said that his government had taken important steps to establish reliability and stability in the country. Commenting on recent economic volatility, Erdogan said that fluctuations and movements were possible in economies, adding that this was a reality of the world. In addition to Cabinet ministers, opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu, Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer, and bureaucrats as well as businessmen were also present at the gathering. Also speaking at the meeting, Baykal criticized the government's economic policies, warning that the country was at great risk for a new crisis. He added that Turkey could stand on its own two feet only through a large rise in exports. /Turkiye/
IN WASHINGTON, GUL MEETS WITH RICE TO DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, currently in Washington for an official visit, yesterday met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss a number of issues, including bilateral relations and a new strategic vision document. During their meeting, Gul briefed Rice on his recent contacts with the Iranian government concerning its nuclear program. Gul and Rice also discussed Iraq, the terrorist PKK, Cyprus, Turkey's European Union membership bid, and energy cooperation. Speaking at a joint press conference afterwards, Rice said that sometimes it was important to look at relations between the two countries from a general point of view and consider the broad, deep values and strategic interests their relations are based on, adding that the strategic vision document would help underline this. Asked about the terrorist PKK, Rice said that the US administration would work actively with Ankara and Baghdad to overcome this problem, adding that Washington didn't want the PKK to attack Turkey from anywhere, and especially not from northern Iraq. For his part, Gul said that presence of a terrorist group in a friendly country such as Iraq was inexplicable. Later, Gul met with US Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs Tim Adams. During their meeting, they discussed the situation of the Turkish economy and recent market fluctuations. Adams said that the fluctuations were due to international developments, adding that he had confidence in the structure of the Turkish economy. Afterwards, Gul said that Turkey wasn't considered the "weak link" in the chain. /Milliyet/
YAS TO CONVENE ON AUG. 1
The Supreme Military Council (YAS) is set to convene for its annual meeting on Aug. 1. The four-day gathering chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will discuss the promotions of military personnel. Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and Gendarmerie Chief Commander Gen. Fevzi Turkeri are both expected to retire as they have reached mandatory retirement age. /Turkiye/
EL BARADEI TO ARRIVE IN ANKARA TODAY
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei is set to arrive in Ankara today at the invitation of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler. During his three-day stay in Turkey, ElBaradei is expected to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. He is also scheduled to address a conference in Ankara held by the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK) on the use and efficiency of nuclear energy. He will proceed to Istanbul after completing his contacts in Ankara. /Turkiye/
FINNISH PM: "TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP WILL STRENGTHEN THE EU"
European Union Term President Finland's Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen yesterday said, "Turkey's future European Union membership would strengthen the EU." Speaking at the European Parliament about his country's priorities during its six-month presidency, Vanhanen said that Turkey's membership would bring stability to the region. Stating that the realization of full membership depends on Turkey's efforts and that the criteria for membership must be fulfilled, Vanhanen said, "Turkey's membership will be a long process," and added, "It's early to speak of a timetable, but it's not going to happen in six months." Meanwhile, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday underlined Turkey's obligation to open its harbors and airports to Greek Cypriots before it can move ahead with its entry talks. In a speech at the EP, Barroso underlined the importance for both Turkey and the Union to fulfill their responsibilities towards each other, saying, "What matters is that we are open, honest and fair. Turkey must fulfill its commitments, just as the EU must fulfill its commitments. Turkey's commitments include respect for the Ankara Protocol." /Hurriyet-The New Anatolian/
MUSIC PRODUCER ARIF MARDIN LAID TO REST
Arif Mardin, a legendary Grammy Award-winning producer who died at age 74 last week in New York, was laid to rest in Istanbul yesterday. Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas, businessmen, artists, musicians, and politicians attended the funeral. Mardin's daughter Nazan Mardin said that she was touched during memorial ceremonies held in the US, adding that there was great love for his father there. "We lost our father, and we thank everyone who stood by us," she added. /Aksam/
GULER: "ENERGY PRICE HIKES OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR NOW"
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hlimi Guler said yesterday that energy price increases were out of the question for now. Speaking at a Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) meeting, Guler said that they would do what the economy necessitates. "An electricity price hike is out of the question," he said. Stressing that blackouts in 13 provinces last weekend were being investigated, Guler said that efforts were being exerted to overcome the underlying problem. He added that he would meet with visiting International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Mohamed ElBaradei this week to discuss nuclear energy. /Sabah/