ERDOGAN, MERKEL OPEN TURKISH STAND AT HANNOVER INDUSTRIAL FAIR
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, currently in Germany, yesterday opened the Turkish Stand at Hannover Industrial Fair with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Addressing the gathering, Merkel hailed the Turkish economy, adding that its growth wasn't even seen in the European Union member states. Saying that she was proud of opening the Turkish Stand at Hannover Industrial Fair, Merkel stated that Turkey was participating in the fair for the second time after 22 years. "The visitors of the fair will observe how Turkey has developed," she said. Merkel further said that she appreciated Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that it gave the opportunity to promote Turkey's culture and richness, adding that the fair would boost relations between Turkey and Germany. Later, Erdogan an Merkel attended Turkish-German Business Summit held at the fair. Addressing the gathering, Erdogan said that there were considerable investment opportunities in Turkey in especially energy and construction fields. Saying that Hannover was one of the world's biggest industrial fairs, Erdogan added that both Turkey and Germany would benefit from the investments to be carried out in Turkey. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN TO MEET WITH AGAR AND MUMCU
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan today will meet with opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu to discuss presidential election. Erdogan will meet with Agar at the DYP's headquarters and will listen to Agar and express his views. Afterwards, Erdogan will meet with Mumcu. During their meeting, Mumcu is expected to lay down conditions such as, "Person, who will be a presidential candidate should be loyal to Ataturk's principles, generally accepted, and after being elected as president should sustain a relationship with AKP not as a party member, but as an impartial person." /Sabah/
GONUL: "SEZER DIDN'T SAY AT NSC MEETING THAT REGIME IS UNDER DANGER"
Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul yesterday visited Kocaeli Greater Municipality Mayor Ibrahim Karaosmanoglu. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Gonul said that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer didn't say at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting that the regime was under danger. Asked about the beginning of the presidential candidacy process and his possible candidacy, Gonul said that he didn't know that the process began and declined to comment about his candidacy. /Sabah-Turkiye/
SENER: "EVERYONE SHOULD RESPECT THE REPUBLIC RALLY"
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener yesterday commented on the Republic Rally held with a great participation in Ankara over the weekend, saying that everyone should respect the demonstration. "We should think about what these crowds want," said Sener. "Hundreds of thousands of people attended the demonstration, which was one of the biggest in the Republic's history. The secular structure of the Turkish Republic was emphasized at this demonstration." /Milliyet/
BUYUKANIT TO VISIT GREECE
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit will go to Thessalonica today to attend the First Balkan Countries Regional Conference. Buyukanit will also meet with his Greek counterpart Gen. Panayotis Hinofotis. Chiefs of General Staff of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia as well as Turkey and Greece will attend the conference. /Hurriyet/
DEPUTY PARLIAMENT SPEAKER DINCER HOSPITALIZED
Deputy Parliament Speaker and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Bursa Deputy Ali Dincer was taken under treatment in intensive care unit of Ankara's Ibni Sina Hospital yesterday. CHP Deputy Group Leader Ali Topuz said that Dincer's health condition was critical. /All Papers/
AGAR: "EVERYONE BEARING NECESSARY CONDITIONS COULD BE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE"
Opposition Party True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar yesterday spoke to reporters after attending a meeting of Antalya Commodity Exchange. Asked what the topic of his meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would be, Agar said that he didn't know what they would speak. "They will present us their proposals," said Agar. "We'll tell them our views according to their proposals." Upon a question what would happen if Erdogan declares his presidential candidacy, Agar said that everyone bearing the necessary conditions could be a candidate. /Turkiye/
TURKEY TO HOST MEETING BETWEEN ROWING PAKISTANI, AFGHAN PRESIDENTS
Turkey plans to host talks between the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan, officials said yesterday hoping to stem a quarrel over the comeback of the Taliban that threatens the US-led anti-terror coalition. An aide to Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he would meet Pakistan's Gen. Pervez Musharraf along with Turkish officials at the end of April. He declined to elaborate and asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. A Turkish Foreign Ministry official confirmed that Ankara, which enjoys close ties with both countries, was trying to organize the meeting, but cautioned that it had yet to be finalized. The official, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said Turkey proposed the meeting "to try and help both countries overcome certain differences." / The New Anatolian/
AZERBAIJANI-TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S UNION TO GIVE ERDOGAN 2006'S STATESMAN AWARD
The Azerbaijani-Turkish Businessmen's Union (ATIB) is due to give Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan 2006's statesman award for their contributions to develop regional ties and to advance the Baku-Ceyhan-Tbilisi Oil Pipeline. Erdogan is expected to receive his award today. /Turkiye/