ERDOGAN: "TURKEY IS DETERMINED FOR FULL EU MEMBERSHIP"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that Turkey was determined to become a European Union member and to fulfill the bloc's requirements. Erdogan received visiting EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and chief EU negotiator Ali Babacan also attended the meeting, where Cyprus and the EU were discussed. Erdogan conveyed his uneasiness over the so-called Armenian genocide claims being brought up by the EU. Rebutting Rehn's claim that Turkey had slowed down the reform process, Erdogan summarized his government's work on the EU over the last four years. Rehn's meeting at Parliament was tense. Meeting with Parliament's EU Harmonization Commission head Yasar Yakis, Rehn spoke harshly about Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). /Aksam/
ERDOGAN: "WE DON'T WANT TENSION IN THE COUNTRY"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday spoke to reporters on his plane while returning from an official visit to Britain. The premier said that his government didn't want tension in the country and called for dialogue, adding that there would always be conflicting views. Concerning recent claims that fundamentalist movements were increasing, Erdogan said that claims should be based on hard facts. He stressed that the issue could be discussed by various platforms such as in National Security Council (NSC) meetings rather than in public. He added that his government was tolerant and open to criticisms. "We believe in dealing with issues in harmony," said the premier. /Turkiye/
MERKEL TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY TODAY
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to arrive in Ankara today at the invitation of her Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During her two-day visit, in addition to Erdogan, Merkel will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. Turkish-European Union relations are expected to dominate Merkel's talks with top Turkish officials. A group of 20 businessmen will accompany the German premier to seek ways to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Furthermore, Turkish officials will have the opportunity to tell firsthand of Ankara's efforts and views on the road to EU membership to Merkel, whose country is set to assume the EU term presidency next January. The German chancellor and Erdogan will also attend a dinner organized by ruling the Justice and Development Party (AKP) to break the Ramadan fast this evening. /Turkiye/
SWITZERLAND'S JUSTICE MINISTER VISITS TURKEY
Switzerland's visiting Justice and Policy Minister Christoph Blocher yesterday met with Justice Minister Cemil Cicek. Speaking to reporters after their talks, Cicek pointed to the importance of international cooperation against terrorism. Stressing that terrorism was a crime against humanity, Cicek called on all countries to do their best and make genuine efforts on the matter. Cicek stated that terrorists were traveling to Europe after committing crimes in Turkey and seeking shelter and in the process violating democratic rights, adding that these demands for asylum had no basis. "This fact should be well understood by Europeans, and we expect them to act on that," said Cicek. He also said that the so-called Armenian genocide issue was also taken up during their talks. For his part, Blocher said that the law in Switzerland penalizing people who question the Armenian genocide was also giving them trouble, adding that the issue should be left to historians. /Turkiye-Star/
GULER: "THERE WILL BE NO TENDER FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY INVESTMENTS"
Nuclear energy investments will not be carried out in the form of tenders but rather like a competition among competent firms, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler yesterday told a meeting organized by the Association of Economic Reporters (EMD) in Istanbul. Asked whether there would be shortages of electricity and natural gas, Guler replied that such shortages were not expected under normal conditions. Commenting on nuclear energy investments, Guler said they would prefer the private sector to undertake contracts, but if the private sector isn't interested, then cooperation between the private and public sectors could be an option. Meanwhile, he said that Turkey would soon hold a tender for providing security to a pipeline bringing gas from Iran. /Turkish Daily News/
TUSIAD HEAD SABANCI: "FRANCE'S STANCE SHOWS ITS FEAR"
Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Omer Sabanci yesterday criticized the French bill proposing punishment for people who question the so-called Armenian genocide, saying that he couldn't see a French measure restricting expression as suitable while on the contrary Turkey is taking steps to expand freedom of expression. "This stance belongs to societies which are afraid of the truth," said Sabanci. TUSIAD held a panel called "Europe's Global Difficulties and Turkey" in Paris as part of Turkish Week, marking the first anniversary of the beginning of Ankara's European Union membership talks. Taking the floor at the panel, French Trade Minister Christine Lagarde pointed to Turkey's importance and said, "France trusts in Turkey's future." /Sabah/