ERDOGAN MEETS WITH HIS FRENCH, GERMAN COUNTERPARTS AT EU EXPANSION CEREMONY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met separately with his French, German and Greek counterparts, Jacques Chirac, Gerhard Schroeder and Costas Karamanlis respectively, during his visit to Dublin, Ireland, to attend a ceremony marking the accession of 10 new European Union member countries, including Greek Cyprus. During his meeting with Karamanlis, Erdogan discussed his visit later this week to Greece. Ireland is currently the EU term president /Milliyet/
US CONGRESS TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION URGING END TO TRNC’S ECONOMIC ISOLATION
A resolution calling on both the Bush administration and the European Union to take measures to end the economic and political isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was presented to the US House of Representatives late last week. The non-binding resolution, co-sponsored by two Republicans and two Democrats, praises Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his “brave leadership” in supporting the UN-backed unification plan for Cyprus. The bill further urges Turkish Cypriots not to give up hope for a united island and EU membership and lauds their overwhelming approval of the UN plan. The move came ahead of TRNC Premier Mehmet Ali Talat’s meeting with US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday in New York, and the resolution is set to face a vote during Talat’s visit. /Turkiye/
IN HISTORIC US VISIT, TRNC’S TALAT TO MEET WITH POWELL, ANNAN
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat is set to travel to the United States today for a landmark four-day visit, during which he will meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York. Talat is also expected to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington tomorrow to discuss lifting the economic embargo from the TRNC. The premier is also due to meet with officials from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Speaking to reporters before his departure, Talat said that international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots should be brought to an end. “I know we cannot achieve this in three days, but eventually we must do so,” he added. /Aksam/
BELGIAN PRINCE VISITS TURKEY
Belgian Prince Philippe accompanied by Economy Minister Hefientje Moerman and a delegation yesterday arrived in Istanbul. During his meetings, ways will be sought to strengthen Turkish-Belgian economic ties. /Turkiye/
GERMAN FM PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY’S EU BID
Speaking in the current issue of German newsmagazine Der Spiegel, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer reiterated his country’s support for Turkey’s European Union membership bid. “Saying that Turkey can’t join the EU no matter what would be a grave error,” warned Fischer. “This would mean sowing instability in Turkey, something which would also damage our own interests.” He stated that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was trying to forge a modern Islam in Turkey, adding that it could constitute a bridge between the West and the East. /Milliyet/
DUTCH PM: “OUR DECISION ON ANKARA’S ACCESSION TALKS WILL BE A FAIR ONE”
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Balkenende said that the European Union would be fair this December in deciding whether or not to begin accession talks with Ankara. Netherlands is due to be the EU’s term president during the year-end summit, succeeding Ireland. “In making a decision we will consider Turkey’s economic and geopolitical aspects, but the most important thing is that we will be fair,” added Balkenende. /Cumhuriyet/
BABACAN: “THE LIRA MAY FURTHER RISE OR FALL DUE TO THE FLOATING EXCHANGE RATE”
Appearing on television yesterday, State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said that since Ankara’s policy was one of free exchange rates, the Turkish lira could further depreciate or appreciate, adding that there was no need to worry about such fluctuations. Asked about his exchange rate prediction for year-end, he said that he had none due to the free rates. “Our government doesn’t have any exchange rate commitment or prediction for this year,” he added. /Aksam/