NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS
Today is the first day of the 2006-07 school year. Around 14 million students and nearly 600,000 teachers are back in school after a three-month summer break. Top leaders, including President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Erkan Mumcu, issued messages marking the beginning of the new school year. In his message, pointing to the importance of educating children and young people in line with modern systems, Sezer said that education should be provided without compromising on Ataturk's principles and secularism./Milliyet/
ERDOGAN: "TURKEY'S DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that for the last four years, under his government, Turkey had continued to develop without any slowdown. Erdogan over the weekend attended a series of opening ceremonies in the Aegean region province of Usak. The premier said that the nation wanted prosperity, adding that his government was trying to do its best to serve the citizens. After completing his contacts in Usak, the premier proceeded to Antalya to attend a number of events there today. /Turkiye/
GUL: "THE POPE'S REMARKS WERE VERY UNFORTUNATE"
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday traveled to the US to attend United Nations General Assembly meetings starting tomorrow. Ahead of his departure, Gul told reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport that he would participate in the UN's meetings in New York, and then accompany Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his upcoming visit to the US. Commenting on Pope Benedict XVI's recent remarks on Islam, Gul said that at a time when many nations are making efforts to develop dialogue between different religions and cultures, the pope's statements were very unfortunate. Concerning the pope's scheduled visit to Turkey in November, Gul said that for the time being there was no change in plans for the visit. /Turkiye/
PARLIAMENT EYES MORE REFORMS AMID EU STORM CLOUDS
Parliament reconvenes tomorrow, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, to pass fresh reforms that the government hopes will demonstrate its commitment to joining the European Union. But some analysts and diplomats say that laws will fall short of EU requirements and will not avert a looming crisis between the wealthy bloc and Ankara over Cyprus. /Turkish Daily News/
FRENCH PRESIDENT CHIRAC SENDS LETTER OF CONDOLENCES TO ERDOGAN
French President Jacques Chirac has sent a letter of condolences and solidarity to Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan over last week's bombing in Diyarbakir which killed 10 people, most of them children. Chirac also reaffirmed that he condemned terrorism. In his letter Chirac also noted that he had orally offered his condolences to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul during his trip to Paris last week. /Aksam/
GREEK FM BAKOYANNIS: "TURKEY MUST RECOGNIZE GREEK CYPRUS TO GAIN EU MEMBERSHIP"
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said over the weekend that Turkey must recognize Greek Cyprus to gain European Union membership. "The EU criteria apply to Turkey too," said Bakoyannis. "Otherwise, other countries' hand in objecting to a Muslim country will grow stronger." /Star/
ISTANBUL TO HOST 2009 IMF MEETING
International Monetary Fund Executive Director Willy Kiekens said yesterday that the IMF and World Bank directors had agreed to hold their annual meetings in 2009 in Turkey. Istanbul hosted the gathering in 1955 as well. This year the IMF and WB are convening in Singapore. /Sabah/
FOREIGN, TURKISH BUSINESSMEN MEET IN ISTANBUL
Some 550 businessmen from 12 Eurasian countries yesterday met with Turkish businessmen in Istanbul to seek ways to boost cooperation between Turkey and Eurasian countries. During the one-week gathering, hosted by the Turkish Businessmen's and Industrialists' Confederation (TUSKON), 5,000 business meetings will be held, and a $250 million deal is expected to be signed. /Turkiye/
BABACAN MEETS WITH IMF DIRECTOR DE RATO
State Economy Minister Ali Babacan yesterday met with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato as part of the annual World Bank-IMF meetings in Singapore. During the meeting, Rato was briefed on Turkey's latest macroeconomic indicators and efforts in the European Union process. Babacan thanked Rato for the support he gave for the increase in Turkey's quota in the IMF as well as selecting Turkey to host the 2009 IMF gathering. Also attending the meeting was Turkish Treasury Undersecretary Ibrahim Canakci, Central Bank Governor Durmus Yilmaz, other high-ranking Treasury officials, IMF European Department Director Michael Deppler, former Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam, IMF Executive Director Responsible for European Affairs Willy Kiekens, and another former Turkey Desk Chief Carlo Cottarelli.