ERDOGAN MEETS WITH IRANIAN PRESIDENT; DISCUSSES WAYS TO PROMOTE BILATERAL TRADE TIES, IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, currently in Iran for an official visit, yesterday met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to discuss a number of issues, including bilateral relations. During their meeting, Erdogan and Ahmadinejad discussed ways to boost bilateral commercial ties between the two countries, and issues such as natural gas and energy. For his part, Ahmadinejad stated that he was pleased with Erdogan's visit, adding that he placed importance on developing cooperation between the two countries. For his part, Erdogan said that he appreciated the invitation of Iran and briefed Ahmadinejad on his views about how to solve the standoff over the country's nuclear program. Later, speaking at a press conference after completing his contacts, Erdogan said that Ankara was determined to pursue its relations with Iran without any interruptions, adding that he had discussed with Iranian officials how to eliminate the obstacles to relations between the two countries. "We also discussed the sensitivities of our region," said Erdogan, adding that Ankara placed importance on the territorial integrity of Iraq. "Iranian officials share our view that a division of Iraq would create problems," added Erdogan. /Milliyet/
POPE BENEDICT XVI CALLS TURKEY VISIT AN "UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE"
Speaking yesterday after returning to Vatican after completing his contacts in Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI evaluated his visit to Turkey, saying that it had been an unforgettable experience. The pope further expressed thanks to the people who organized his visit and the Turkish officials who had played host to him. The pope stated that his visit was a hopeful step in establishing fruitful dialogue with Muslims. The pope further said that he appreciated the Christians who supported him during his visit with prayers, stressing that the visit would bring Christian churches closer and boost dialogue with Muslims. Culture and Tourism Ministry Undersecretary Mustafa Isen said that the pope's visit would help to boost tourism. /Sabah/
EDUCATION MINISTER CELIK: "HUMAN CAPITAL IS OUR GREATEST RESOURCE"
Education Minister Huseyin Celik said yesterday that human capital was one of a country's most important resources. Speaking at a conference in the southeastern Anatolian province of Batman, Celik said that Turkey had a very young population, which was the greatest asset of the country. "If we educate, train and raise the young people in a healthy way, nothing can stand in the way of Turkey's further development," said the minister. Commenting on public fears that Turkey could lose its freedom when it joins the European Union, Celik said that none of the EU member states had lost their freedom or national distinctiveness. Also attending the openings of new schools in the province, Celik pledged to invest in Batman to raise educational standards. /Turkiye/
SWEDISH FM DUE IN ANKARA TODAY
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt is due today to arrive in Turkey for an official visit. During his short stay in Ankara, Bildt is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Turkey's European Union chief negotiator Ali Babacan to discuss Turkey's EU bid. During the meeting, Gul is expected to tell Bildt that the EU Commission's recent decision recommending partial suspension of Turkey's talks was unacceptable and that it needed to be softened. In related news, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Latvia during last week's NATO summit, told Erdogan that there was no need to worry about the EU decision, saying that it was even "beneficial." Erdogan said that as a former head of the EU Commission, Prodi had experience with the issue. /Star/
BABACAN: "TURKEY WILL BE EUROPE'S SIXTH-LARGEST ECONOMY"
State Minister and chief negotiator for European Union accession talks Ali Babacan said yesterday that Turkey would be the sixth-largest economy in Europe when it becomes a full EU member. Appearing on television yesterday, Babacan stated that Turkey would be different from other member states in terms of its economy, demographics, culture, politics, geography and social structure. Pointing out that Turkey had implemented a number of reforms since it began its EU talks 14 months ago, Babacan said that Turkey had a very bright future. Commenting on the EU Commission's advisory decision to suspend talks on eight chapters, Babacan said the decision had not been made official yet, adding that problems in any one chapter didn't affect the others. Furthermore, Babacan said that the Cyprus issue should not have any effect on Turkey's EU membership process. He also underlined that the issue needed a comprehensive settlement under the auspices of the United Nations. /Sabah/