ERDOGAN, GUL, OZKOK DISCUSS TURKEY’S STRATEGY FOR FOUR-WAY CYPRUS SUMMIT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday met to discuss Turkey’s strategy for a four-way Cyprus summit set for Wednesday in Switzerland, to be held with the participation of Ankara, Turkish Cyprus, Athens, and Greek Cyprus. Also present at the meeting was Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. "Any agreement must be included in the European Union's primary law," Gul said after the meeting. "This is a nonnegotiable issue for us." In related news, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas said yesterday that the Turkish Cypriots could reject the United Nations Cyprus plan if it were not altered to include certain Turkish-requested changes. /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN: “WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE CYPRUS TALKS WITH DENKTAS”
Appearing on television yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara wanted Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas to continue his role in the Cyprus negotiations, citing Denktas’s decades of political experience, and adding that he was still hopeful the president would travel to Switzerland to attend this Wednesday’s four-way summit. “I haven’t yet lost my hope on this,” said Erdogan. “We began this negotiating process with Denktas, and we want to continue and conclude it with him.” The premier further stated that the Turkish side had not altered its sine qua nons, adding, “There is no disagreement between Ankara and the TRNC administration on these. We will definitely insist on them.” /Milliyet/
DE SOTO MEETS WITH TURKISH OFFICIALS
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Cyprus Envoy Alvaro de Soto yesterday met with Turkish Foreign Minister Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and other officials. During their five-hour meeting, they engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the Cyprus issue in the runup to this week’s four-way summit in Switzerland, which is to include Ankara and Athens. The Ankara officials reiterated their sine qua nons and stressed that an agreement on Cyprus should be included in the EU’s primary law. In related news, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas will meet with Greek leader Tassos Papadopulos this morning under de Soto’s supervision. At the meeting, topics on the table will reportedly include property rights, a united Cyprus constitution, national anthem and flag, a proposal for three foreign judges to sit on the Cypriot supreme court, and settlers from Turkey. /Turkiye/
TURKEY CELEBRATES NEVRUZ
Nevruz, a day marking the advent of spring, was celebrated yesterday by thousands of people throughout the country in festivities held in various cities. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer issued a message for the occasion stressing the role of bonds based upon affection, respect and tolerance as well as cultural and social activities in promoting peace and harmony. In his message, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that, Nevruz, a day of spring, fertility, love and friendship, would be celebrated in peace. Yesterday’s celebrations went off peacefully, unmarred by the violence seen in some previous years. /Sabah/
POLITICIANS CAMPAIGN IN IZMIR, ISTANBUL FOR NEXT SUNDAY’S LOCAL ELECTIONS
Yesterday both ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal campaigned for voter support in Izmir, with next Sunday’s March 28 local elections now looming less then a week away. In addition, Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit also campaigned in Izmir, while True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar stumped for votes in Istanbul. /Hurriyet/
SCHROEDER, SOLANA SAY TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP KEY FOR EUROPE’S SECURITY
German Chancellor Gerhardt Schroeder said yesterday that Turkey’s European Union membership was important for both his nation’s security and that of all of Europe. Speaking at a meeting of his Social Democratic Party (SPD) where he stepped down as party chair to hand over the reins to Franz Muentefering, Schoeder stated that the SPD’s rivals were trying to use Ankara’s EU membership bid as a demagogic tool. Pointing to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, he said that a modern Turkey would contribute to Europe’s security. In related news, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana yesterday stressed that Turkey’s EU membership would strengthen Europe’s stability and security. Speaking to a German newspaper, Solana predicted that the nation’s improvements in democratization and human rights would be greatly aided by its EU membership. /Turkiye/