FINNISH PLAN FOR CYPRUS FAILS
European Union Term President Finland's Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja yesterday said that their solution plan for the Cyprus issue had not borne fruit. Before his statement, Tuomioja met with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Greek Cypriot administration Foreign Minister Georges Lillikas, who are in Tempere, Finland for the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Euromed) foreign ministers' meeting. "We can't see a proper ground to proceed within the context of proposals, there's nothing we can do," said Tuomioja, and added that work on how to handle Turkey's accession talks will continue. /Aksam/

ERDOGAN: "THE FAILURE OF FINLAND'S CYPRUS PLAN DOESN'T MEAN ANKARA'S EU EFFORTS WILL SLOW DOWN"
Speaking to reporters before his party's Central Decision Board (MKYK) meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the declaration by European Union Term President Finland's foreign minister that his country's Cyprus plan had failed, saying that this didn't mean that Ankara's efforts to join the EU would slow down. "Up to now we've done our best on the issue," said Erdogan. "We'll continue to do so." In related news, Erdogan is expected to meet with Pope Benedict XVI at Ankara's Esenboga airport before flying to Latvia to attend a NATO summit and hold a press conference after this meeting. /Turkiye/

GUL: "I HOPE THE FINNISH PLAN'S FAILURE WON'T HURT OUR TALKS"
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Finland, where he is attending the Euromed meeting, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul commented on the failure of Finland's Cyprus plan, saying that hoped this failure wouldn't harm Turkey's negotiations with the European Union. "As far as I know, the Greek Cypriots put forward some preconditions," said Gul. Stressing that Greek Cypriot administration was following a strategy to confine the Cyprus issue to the EU, Gul said that he appreciated Finland's efforts. /Star/

ERDOGAN TO VISIT IRAN, LEBANON AND PALESTINE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine to boost efforts to attain peace and stability in the Middle East. Erdogan will go to Iran next Sunday to convey the message: "We all have responsibility as neighboring countries." Following his visit to Iran, Erdogan is planning to go to Syria to seek positive and constructive Syrian support for Lebanon. /Milliyet/

POPE BENEDICT XVI DUE IN ANKARA TODAY; CICEK CALLS THE VISIT AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY
Pope Benedict XVI is expected to arrive in Ankara today for an official visit. Speaking after yesterday's Cabinet meeting, government spokesman Cemil Cicek said that he hoped the pope's visit would be a turning point between the Muslim and Christian worlds. "Turkey favors cooperation and dialogue between civilizations and exerts considerable efforts towards this end," said Cicek. "The pope's visit could be an important opportunity. The messages he will give are important. We're uncomfortable about conflicts in the world." /Cumhuriyet/

REHN: "THE TRAIN WILL SLOW DOWN, BUT IT CAN'T STOP"
Speaking at Helsinki University, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn stated yesterday that the Finnish proposals for Cyprus were realistic and formulated to benefit both sides but added, "Unfortunately, they came to nothing." Rehn said that these efforts weren't wasted and added, "We have to keep our promise and continue Turkey's EU process. The negotiations can't be suspended, according to the Commission. The train can slow down but it won't stop." In related news, German Chancellor Foreign Minister Angela Merkel again claimed that it would be better to give a privileged partnership to Turkey in lieu of full EU membership. Speaking at her Christian Democratic Union CDU party's meeting in Dresden, Merkel said, "We are continuing open-ended negotiations with Turkey. But as party leader, I want to say this: Giving privileged partnership to Turkey is proper and will remain so." /Hurriyet-Cumhuriyet/

GREEK CYPRIOTS ACCUSE TURKEY
Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas claimed yesterday that despite his nation and Finland's good will, negotiations over Cyprus hadn't produced an agreement. A written statement released by Lillikas said that negotiations would continue to constitute a consensus among European Union membership countries. In related news, Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadoupulos claimed, "The Turkish side didn't give any positive response." /Star/

BABACAN TO TOUR EUROPEAN COUNTRIES BEFORE NEXT MONTH'S EU SUMMIT
Chief European Union negotiator Ali Babacan yesterday started a mini-tour of the European Union in the runup to the Dec. 11 European Union summit. Babacan's four-day tour will include Britain, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. Speaking before his departure, Babacan said that if the developments on the Cyprus issue are negative, the markets could be affected by this. "We won't make concession on the issue," said Babacan. "The Cyprus issue and our EU negotiations are separate issues. We believe that the Cyprus issue could be solved as part of UN efforts." /Turkiye/