SEZER ARRIVES IN ITALY
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer arrived in Italy yesterday. Italian Transportation Minister Alessandro Bianchi welcomed Sezer, accompanied by Turkish Presidential Secretary General Kemal Nehrozoglu, at Rome's Ciampino military airport. Sezer attended a dinner hosted by Turkish Ambassador in Rome Ugur Ziyal, and is set to start his formal meetings today. Sezer and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano will lead the meetings between Turkish and Italian delegations, and later will hold a joint news conference. /Milliyet/
PM ERDOGAN: "DEBATES OVER MAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ARE VIRTUAL"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday attended a meeting of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM). Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin, State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen, chief European Union negotiator Ali Babacan, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, Industry and Commerce Minister Ali Coskun, Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker also attended the meeting held at Ankara's Sheraton hotel. Taking the floor at the meeting, Erdogan said that he was also very proud of advances in Turkey's exports parallel to democratic reforms and growth. He said that they broke a record on exports last year with a total of $85 billion and that this success would also continue in the future. Also touching on May's presidential election, Erdogan described the debates over the election as "virtual." Stating that the presidential election process would start in April, Erdogan - a likely candidate -- added, "Each party will take necessary steps when the process starts. Work on the election will be conducted in April by the Parliament. Parliament will be on recess in July, and afterwards the general election campaign will start." General elections are set for November. Erdogan also said that he had spoken to Special Envoy for countering terrorism Edip Baser and will continue to do so and that abolishing the post was out of the question. /Turkiye/
FM GUL SEEKS MEETING WITH RICE
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is planning a visit to the US next month. The terrorist PKK and the Armenian issue will be up for discussion during his visit. Gul is also expecting an appointment from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Gul will reportedly tell Rice about Ankara's concerns on recent developments in Iraq and the referendum set for late this year in Kirkuk. /Sabah/
CICEK: "TURKEY HASN'T GOTTEN THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO FIGHT TERRORISM"
Turkey hasn't gotten the support it needs from other countries in the fight against terrorism, government spokesman Cemil Cicek told reporters after the Cabinet meeting yesterday. Justice Minister Cicek said that retired Gen. Edip Baser remains Turkey's special representative for countering terrorism. "A single person or a single measure cannot suffice in the fight against terrorism," he added. "This issue always tops Turkey's agenda." /Turkiye/
EGYPTIAN FM TO VISIT TURKEY
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit will come to Ankara today for a three-day official visit. Gheit is expected to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul. Talks between Gheit and Turkish officials will center on bilateral issues as well as regional and international matters, including Iraq, the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. /Cumhuriyet/
TUZMEN: "TURKEY TARGETS $100 BLN IN EXPORTS IN 2007"
Turkey is targeting exports of $100 billion in 2007, State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen said yesterday. Taking the floor at the opening of a Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) meeting, Tuzmen said that Turkey's economic growth has continued for 19 quarters without interruption. Tuzmen said that he expected imports to reach $135 billion in 2006 and predicted the trade deficit would be 22% at the end of 2006 (compared to 22.8% at end-2005). "Turkey has reached such a level in exports that it now sells over 20,000 different goods to more than 200 countries," he said. Tuzmen predicted a serious improvement in that ratio in 2007, due to a slowdown in domestic demand and an anticipated easing of energy prices. /The New Anatolian/