IN ESKISEHIR, ERDOGAN CRITICIZES YOK
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a series of opening ceremonies over the weekend. Addressing one such gathering, Erdogan criticized the Higher Board of Education (YOK) citing a shortage of instructors in its opposition to a government plan to open new universities. "They say that there aren't enough teachers for new universities and that founding universities isn't as important as sending teachers there," said Erdogan. "The government's mission is to found universities, and YOK needs to train new teachers." Stressing that some regions in Turkey have been forsaken, Erdogan added that his government doesn't discriminate among the regions. He further stated that the largest chunk of the government's budget goes to education. /Sabah/

FM GUL: "WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN AT THE EU ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS"
In an interview with German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul spoke on Turkey not being invited to last month's celebrations in Berlin marking the 50th anniversary of the European Union, saying, "Needless to say, we would have liked to have been there. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and I were invited to Rome for the signing ceremony of the European constitution. We would have liked to have been invited to Berlin." In related news, Gul will go to Germany for a two-day visit. He is expected to meet with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier and discuss bilateral relations as well as Turkish-EU ties. /Hurriyet-Turkiye/

AGAR: "THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T ACTING TO COUNTER SECURITY PROBLEMS"
Speaking at a meeting of his party over the weekend, opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar said that an amnesty several years ago had led to a burst of crimes in Turkey, saying that if his party comes to power in November's general elections this security problem would be solved. "The amnesty law is the reason for the spike in crime," he said. Agar further criticized the government on security issues, saying it has failed to take measures against worsening security problems. /Milliyet/

BAYKAL: "WE'RE TRYING TO FORM AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE AKP FOR THE FALL ELECTIONS"
Appearing on television yesterday, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that for November's general elections, his party was working to form an alternative to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), adding that he was aware that they needed to bring reluctant voters and ones on the center-right and left wings under the roof of the CHP. Baykal further said that next month's presidential election should be held without creating a crisis in the country. /Turkiye/

TURKMEN MEMBER OF IRAQI PARLIAMENT: "WE EXPECT HELP FROM TURKEY"
Fevzi Ekrem, a Turkmen member of a Shiite Party in Iraq's Parliament, said yesterday that he opposed current developments in Kirkuk, a northern Iraqi city which could join Iraq's Kurdish administrative region in a referendum later this year. He said many efforts were being made to wipe out Iraqi Turkmen in Kirkuk. Ekrem said that the Turkmen expect Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and other Turkic republics to give them a helping hand. /Turkiye/

TUZMEN TOUTS PLANS TO BOOST EXPORTS TO CHINA
State Minister Kursat Tuzmen yesterday touted government plans to increase exports to China, saying that a Chinese delegation which visited Turkey last week signed an export agreement worth $300 million. The agreement includes iron and steel, chrome, and marble. Tuzmen further stated that they had discussed olive oil as well as hazelnuts, adding that intense efforts were being made to export these strong Turkish products to China. /Turkiye/

ITALIAN FIRM WINS MAJOR HELICOPTER TENDER
A major defense industry tender 12 years in the making was won by Italy's Agusta Westland on Friday, reports said over the weekend. The Italian firm will supply Turkey with combat helicopters as part of a military modernization program. Following Friday's meeting of the Defense Industry Executive Committee under the leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul stated that the project envisaged the initial purchase of 50 ATAK helicopters but stressed that Mangusta A-129 attack helicopters would be produced in Turkey. /The New Anatolian/