NSC DISCUSSES TURKEY'S EU BID, CYPRUS
The National Security Council (MGK) yesterday convened under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The council discussed a number of issues, including Turkey's European Union membership bid and Cyprus. It was stated at the meeting that the EU making the Cyprus issue an obstacle to Turkey's membership process was unacceptable. A statement issued afterwards stressed that Ankara expected the EU not to put forward any criteria for Turkey which it hadn't also asked of other candidate states. "The EU sharing this understanding with us is a sine qua non for the continuation of our accession talks," added the declaration. /Hurriyet/

PRESIDENT APPROVES 2007 BUDGET
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday signed the 2007 Fiscal Budget Law. Meanwhile, in the wake of a hectic schedule of debates for next year's budget, Parliament began an 11-day holiday for the Feast of the Sacrifice. The deputies will resume work on Tuesday, Jan. 9. /Turkiye/

ARINC: "184 DEPUTIES WILL MEET THE QUORUM TO ELECT THE NEXT PRESIDENT"
Commenting on recent disputes regarding next May's presidential election, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday denied claims that Parliament needed a quorum of 367 deputies to convene for the election. He stressed that 184 deputies would fulfill the quorum for a Parliament session to elect the president, and that whichever candidate gets 276 votes would be the new president. Arinc stated that certain circles have objected to Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan possibly running for president and have sought various alternatives to prevent that. "Their justifications are running out," said Arinc. On the other hand, two opposition parties, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), announced yesterday that their deputies would boycott the Parliament session on masse if Erdogan seeks the presidency. /Sabah-Turkiye/

GREEK PM EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EU BID
Speaking to German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung yesterday, Grek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said that Greece supported Turkey's European Union perspective, adding that there were persuasive reasons for this. "An EU member Turkey would benefit everyone," said Karamanlis. "If Turkey fulfills its obligations to the EU, then the final result should be full membership. I emphasize this because some circles in the Union make complex comments about Turkey's situation after it carries out its all responsibilities." Asked if Turkey was being "rewarded" by the suspension of eight of its accession chapters, Karamanlis said that it wasn't. "Turkey is under control," added Karamanlis. /Milliyet/

BABACAN SAYS ELECTION DISPUTES HURT THE ECONOMY
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said that arguments over next year's elections were hurting the economy, adding that foreign investors were surprised by these disputes. "Things will be better for us next year, not worse," said Babacan, adding that some people were trying to cast a shadow over Turkey's economic successes. "These approaches are incompatible with patriotism," said Babacan. "Our economic successes have been hailed by the whole world, but are still being criticized. Political and ideological goals are behind this." /Aksam/

REHN: "A TRAIN CRASH IN TURKISH-EU TALKS HAS BEEN AVOIDED"
European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn yesterday stated that a possible "train crash" in Turkish-European Union negotiations had been avoided. In a guest column published in Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat, Rehn indicated that the EU's door was open to southeastern European countries, including Turkey. Commenting on Finland's EU Term Presidency in his article, Rehn said, "The EU foreign ministers, led by their Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja, have taken a decision on how to carry forward the negotiations with Turkey, and a train crash has been avoided so far." /The New Anatolian/

VATICAN: "TURKEY IS A BRIDGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST"
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said yesterday that Turkey was a bridge between the East and the West. Speaking to La Documentation Catholique magazine, Bertone said that Pope Benedict XVI's meeting with Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his recent visit to Turkey would be a good reference for Turks to use during their European Union accession process. "Turkey has been a partner of Europe for a long time," said the cardinal. "Helping Turkey serves Europe's own interests." /Star/