TURKISH LEADERS CONVEY CONDOLENCES TO SPAIN OVER TERROR ATTACK
In the aftermath of yesterday’s bloody terrorist attacks in Madrid, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent messages of condolence messages to Spanish King Juan Carlos I and Premier Jose Maria Aznar. The two leaders conveyed the Turkish nation’s deep sorrow over the attacks, which killed nearly 200 people while injuring some 1,500 others. In addition, expressing his sympathy over the death of so many innocents, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul harshly condemned the attacks. /All Papers/

ERDOGAN, BAYKAL CONTINUE CAMPAIGNING FOR VOTER SUPPORT
Political party leaders yesterday continued to seek voter support ahead of the March 28 local elections. Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday campaigned in Bingol, the scene of a deadly dormitory collapse last year. Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, meanwhile, made a campaign stop in Yalova. /Aksam/

GUL: “WE WILL STRENGTHEN TURKEY’S TIES WITH THE PHILIPPINES”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with his Philippine counterpart Delia Domingo Albert, who is currently paying an official visit to Turkey. Speaking to reporters after their meeting, the two leaders pledged to work to boost bilateral ties. /Turkiye/

EP VETS ANNAN PLAN, URGES ANKARA’S COOPERATION
The European Parliament yesterday approved a report expressing support for UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan’s plan for Cyprus. The report echoed the European Commission’s view that failure to reach a resolution on Cyprus would create serious obstacles to Turkey’s European Union membership and furthermore urged Ankara to do its utmost to speed a settlement. The EP also approved reports on the preparations of countries expected to join the Union. /Sabah/

ARINC URGES GOVERNORS TO IMPLEMENT EU REFORMS
Speaking to a gathering of recently appointed provincial governors yesterday, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc urged the officials to make sure Turkey’s reforms for European Union membership were carried out throughout the country, not just in law books. “The reforms should be implemented without hesitation,” said Arinc. “Neither you nor I have the right to hesitate in implementing these reforms.” While EU has lauded Ankara’s legislated reforms, it has complained of a lack of consistent implementation nationwide. /Star/

DEPUTY PM SAHIN, EC’S KRETSCHMER DISCUSS TURKEY’S EU PROGRESS
Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin yesterday met with Hansjoerg Kretschmer, the European Commission representative in Turkey, to discuss Turkey’s progress on its EU membership bid. Speaking afterwards, Sahin reiterated Ankara’s determination to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria. For his part, Kretschmer praised the recent reforms passed by the government, adding however that more needed to be done to implement them. /Cumhuriyet/

TALAT: “A FOUR-WAY CYPRUS SUMMIT WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 24”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with visiting Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Premier Mehmet Ali Talat and Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas to discuss the current Cyprus negotiations. Speaking afterwards, Talat said that with the participation of Ankara and Athens, a four-way summit would be held in Zurich, Switzerland on March 24, adding that the TRNC would not leave the negotiating table until a resolution is reached. Talat further stated that both the TRNC administration and Greek Cyprus wanted an agreement reached as soon as possible without the need for intervention by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Asked about the prospects for success of the give-and-take process due to begin today, Gul said that both sides should put forth their determination for a resolution. /Milliyet/

GENCLERBIRLIGI DEFEATS VALENCIA
In UEFA Cup third round football action last night, Ankara’s Genclerbirligi defeated Spanish side Valencia, 1-0. The return match is set to be played in Spain on March 25. Before the game, a minute of silence was observed for the victims of yesterday’s deadly terrorist attacks in Madrid. /All Papers/