FOREIGN MINISTRY: "EFFORTS TO SOW CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE AT SUCH A KEY TIME DON'T SERVE THE NATION"
The Foreign Ministry yesterday issued a written statement declaring that at the order of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, relevant official institutions had been briefed about the government's latest proposal on Cyprus . The proposal says that if Ercan Airport and the port of Famagusta in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were opened to international traffic, then Turkey could open an airport and port to Greek Cyprus. Stressing that Turkey was passing through an important process both in its European Union membership and for the future of the Turkish Cypriots, the statement expressed disappointment at arguments that relevant institutions had been kept in the dark over the proposal to save the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. "Arguments during such a critical period, when protecting our national interests is very important, and efforts to create a crisis of confidence between institutions don't serve the interests of our nation," added the statement. /Sabah/
PAMUK RECEIVES HIS NOBEL PRIZE IN STOCKHOLM
Novelist Orhan Pamuk yesterday received his Nobel Literature Prize in a ceremony held in Stockholm , Sweden . The award was given to Pamuk by Swedish King Karl Gustav XVI. The king also gave Pamuk a certificate, a gold medal, and a prize award of $1.36 million. /Turkiye/
TALAT: "OPENING PORTS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE CYPRUS ISSUE"
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat said over the weekend that the Turkish government's proposal to open one port and one airport to Greek Cypriot vessels would be beneficial for the Cyprus issue. Talat said that he had spoken about the government proposal with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Emphasizing that a solution of the Cyprus issue would be found under UN auspices and there wasn't anyone other way, Talat said, "In order to say yes to a solution, the embargo imposed on the Turkish side must be completely lifted." In related news, TRNC President Ferdi Sabri Soyer reacted harshly to those who accuse the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the TRNC administration of making concessions on Cyprus because of the ports crisis, saying such critics had done nothing to advance the cause of TRNC recognition. "They have won nothing in 30 years," he added. "In the past Turkey was brave but it didn't act rationally. But we and the AKP are both brave and act rationally." /Sabah-Hurriyet/
EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS TODAY TO DISCUSS COMMISSION DECISION ON TURKEY 'S BID AND ANKARA 'S PROPOSAL
The Foreign Ministers of the European Union member states are due to convene in Brussels today to discuss the decision of the EU Commission recommending partial suspension of Ankara's EU talks and Ankara's recent proposal on Cyprus that if Ercan Airport and Famagusta Port were opened, then Turkey could open an airport and port to Greek Cyprus. The Commission decision and Turkey 's Cyprus proposal are expected to be discussed at the summit of heads of state and government of EU members this Friday and Saturday. The EU leaders are expected to make a decision on these issues. /Sabah/
REHN: " TURKEY SHOULD CLARIFY ITS INITIATIVE"
European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn over the weekend asked Turkey to clarify its proposal about the Cyprus issue. Speaking to German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, Rehn said, " Turkey should clarify its initiative. If Turkey opens a major port as a token of goodwill, this would be a step towards implementing the Ankara Protocol. The Commission's proposal is on the table." /Sabah/
BAKOYANNIS: "HARD DATA WILL DETERMINE THE EU'S DECISION"
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said over the weekend, "The European Union will take decisions on Turkey according to concrete facts, not impressions." Bakoyannis said that Greece had been expecting Turkey 's proposal on the ports and so hadn't been surprised, adding, "We knew that Turkey would try to change the atmosphere at the last minute. But as we've seen, it didn't change anything. Decisions won't be taken according to impressions but in line with hard data. And the hard data now says that Turkey isn't living up to its own signature on implementing the related protocol of the Customs Union." /Cumhuriyet/
COMMISSIONER ALMUNIA: " TURKEY 'S ECONOMY IS RAPIDLY HARMONIZING WITH THE EU'S"
European Union Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Joaquin Albunia said yesterday that Turkey's economy was rapidly harmonizing with the EU's, adding that Turkey had a functioning market economy, one of the most important pillars of the Copenhagen criteria. Saying that sustainable economic growth was important in the EU process, Albunia added that the EU would follow Turkey on this. /Aksam/