FIRST ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD TODAY
Round one of Turkey's second presidential election this year is due to be held today. To win the post, a candidate needs to get at least 367 votes of the deputies in Parliament, which proved impossible in the April-May election. The leading candidate for the post is Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), whose aborted run in April sparked early general elections and a landslide victory for his party. Sabahattin Cakmakoglu from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Tayfun Icli from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) are also running. The second round is scheduled for Friday. If no candidate gets 367 votes, then a third round will be necessary. Gul is expected to be elected president in the third round at the latest, which would be held on next Tuesday, Aug. 28. As part of his visits to various figures and groups to seek support for his presidential bid, today Gul will meet with independent Deputies Mesut Yilmaz, Ufuk Uras, Kamer Genc, and Erdogan Yetenc. In related news, DSP dark horse candidate Cakmakoglu said in a written statement that it was an honor for him to run for president. /Turkiye/

YAZICIOGLU REELECTED BBP LEADER
Muhsin Yazicioglu was reelected leader of the Great Union Party (BBP) at an extraordinary congress held over the weekend. He won the post after resigning from it earlier this year. Addressing party members, Yazicioglu said that he would be in Parliament during the presidential election set to start today, adding that he would vote for Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul from the start. /Milliyet/

TURKEY, IRAN TAKE NEW STEPS FOR NATURAL GAS COOPERATION
In spite of US criticism, new steps have been taken between Turkey and Iran in cooperation over natural gas. Iran's acting Petroleum Minister Gulam Hussein Nozeri said yesterday that an agreement has been reached on establishing a company to lay a natural gas pipeline from Asaluye, Iran to the Turkish border, and then to Europe. In addition, Turkey and Iran reached a consensus to establish three thermal power plants. After a meeting between Nozeri and Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler, it was stated that Turkey had given Iran permission to use its territory to transport Iranian natural gas to Europe, and that 35 billion cubic meters of gas would be moved through this pipeline. In return, Iran gave permission for Turkmen gas to be brought to Turkey from Iranian territory. /Cumhuriyet/

ZEKI SEZER RETAINS DSP HELM
Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer was reelected to the party helm at a congress held over the weekend. Addressing the gathering, Sezer said that he was saddened to hold a congress without longtime DSP leader Bulent Ecevit, who passed away last year. He stated that the DSP would never forsake universality or nationalism. Rebuffing criticisms that Turkey's left wing is ailing, Sezer said Turkey needs a democratic left, as it has to tackle unemployment and work to improve human rights. /Sabah/

EP HEAD: "A MAJORITY OF MEPs FAVOR TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP BID, PROVIDED IT MEETS THE CRITERIA"
European Union Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering yesterday said that a majority in the EP favors Turkey's European Union membership so long as it fulfills the Union's criteria, adding, however, that he personally favors a "privileged partnership" in lieu of membership. "We should also consider privileged partnerships with Ukraine and the Arab world," he said. He further stressed that membership negotiations with Turkey should continue along with the reform process initiated by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "The only assurance for the continuation of Ankara's talks is dependent on Turkey's adoption of EU values and the continuation of reforms," he added. /Hurriyet/