NSC TO HOLD YEAR-END MEETING
The National Security Council (NSC) will hold its last meeting of this year on Thursday. Top officials of the NSC are expected to discuss recent developments in Turkish-European Union relations and the fight against terrorism. /Cumhuriyet/
BUYUKANIT ISSUES MESSAGE TO COMMEMORATE MARTYRS OF SARIKAMIS
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit yesterday issued a message to commemorate the martyrs of Sarikamis 92 years ago, saying that though these heroes had been unable to win a victory against the enemy, they had inscribed the idea of "homeland" in the nation's memory. "The Turkish Republic was established by heroes coming from all over the country under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk," said Buyukanit, adding that as a result of this, Turkey became the leader in its region. /Milliyet/
BILMAN TO SUCCEED TAN AS FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
Levent Bilman, 45, until recently deputy director-general of the Northeast Mediterranean Department at the Foreign Ministry, has been appointed the new spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, succeeding Namik Tan. Furthermore, Murat Esenli has been appointed chief advisor to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. /Hurriyet/
ARINC TO MEET WITH FAMILY OF BEHIC ASCI
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc will meet in Istanbul today with representatives of non-governmental organizations and family members of lawyer Behic Asci, who has been on a "death fast" for 265 days to protest conditions in F-type prisons. In addition, a group of lawyers yesterday paid a visit to Parliament and had talks with Parliament Deputy Speaker Ismail Alptekin to seek support on the issue. /Star/
FINLAND PREPARES NEW CYPRUS PLAN
Outgoing European Union's Term President Finland has reportedly prepared a new Cyprus plan proposing that Turkey open its ports and airports to Greek Cyprus while the EU would reopen eight suspended chapters of Turkey's accession negotiations. This initiative is reportedly supported by Spain and Italy, but not by the Greek Cypriot administration. Finland's presidency ends on Sunday night. In related news, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis predicted that there would be considerable movement on the Cyprus issue next year. /Aksam/
GERMAN FM: "TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP WOULD SERVE THE EU'S INTERESTS"
The European Union should continue to move closer to Turkey for its own interests, according to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In comments published in today's Berliner Morgenpost, Steinmeier said that accession talks with Turkey should be accelerated. He added that a majority-Muslim, modern Turkey, open to the world, would be an important bridge to merge the cultures of East and West. /Star/
PARLIAMENT PASSES 2007 BUDGET
The 2007 budget marathon ended yesterday after heated debates. On the last day of budget debates, the General Assembly voted on and passed next year's budget bill. Prime Minister and Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a speech to the Parliament. Also addressing the deputies, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal criticized both the government and the budget. Baykal also spoke out against Erdogan possibly running for president next May. /Sabah/
CB HEAD ADDRESSES CONFERENCE
Speaking at a conference at Hacettepe University yesterday, Central Bank Governor Durmus Yilmaz said that recent developments in Thailand weren't affecting the Turkish economy, adding that the CB wasn't considering clamping down on "hot money." Commenting on inflation, Yilmaz stated that after three decades of high rates, inflation in Turkey was now in the single digits. Also commenting on next year's elections, Yilmaz predicted that there would be no problems in the economy due to next May's presidential election and general elections set for November. /Milliyet/