REFORM PACKAGE FACES DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT TODAY
The full Parliament’s first round of debates on a new 10-article package proposing amendments to the Constitution in line with European Union norms is set to be held today. While the minor opposition True Path Party (DYP) has announced its support for the measures, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has said it will propose changes to the package on matters such as gender equality. The second round of debates is to be held on Friday. /Turkiye/

KRETSCHMER: “ANKARA SHOULD COMPLETE ITS REFORMS BEFORE DECEMBER’S EU SUMMIT”
European Commission Turkey Representative Hansjoerg Kretschmer yesterday urged Ankara to complete its reforms for European Union accession before the December EU summit in order to get a date to begin accession talks. The European Commission is to decide at that summit whether or not to begin Ankara’s membership negotiations. /Milliyet/

CABINET DISCUSSES CHANGES TO YOK LAW
During a six-hour meeting yesterday, the Cabinet discussed a number of controversial changes proposed for the Board of Higher Education (YOK). Speaking to reporters afterwards, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that the government would soon send to Parliament an 8- or 10-article bill proposing amendments to the YOK Law. He added that the ministers had also focused on next week’s Eurovision Song Context hosted by Istanbul and next month’s NATO Summit there as well as other developments. In addition, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Central Executive Board (MYK) chaired by AKP leader and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan convened last evening. /Turkiye/

25 TERRORISTS ARRESTED IN BURSA, ISTANBUL
In operations yesterday in Bursa and Istanbul, security forces arrested 25 members of the terrorist organization Ansar al-Islam believed to be planning terrorist attacks against next month’s NATO summit in Istanbul. Officials later stated that all measures were being taken for the security of the summit and its participants. In related news, NATO sources said that the gathering would not be postponed or canceled due to terrorist threats. /Turkiye/

TALAT: “I’LL TRY TO END THE TRNC’S ISOLATION”
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday flew to New York to hold a series of historic contacts with both American and UN officials. Before his departure, Talat told reporters at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport that during his meetings in the US, he would make clear the difficulties faced by Turkish Cypriots due to the embargo on their nation. Stressing that the TRNC had been grappling with a very unusual and unfair situation, Talat pointed out that Turkish Cypriots had voted in favor of Cyprus’ unification in last month’s referendums while the Greek side rejected it. “The TRNC cannot be isolated due to the Greek Cypriots’ separatist policy,” said Talat. After arriving in the New York last night, Talat met with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Talat is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell today and to address a meeting of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington think tank. /Aksam/

PAPADOPOULOS: “TURKEY SHOULD RECOGNIZE GREEK CYPRUS”
Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos said yesterday that Turkey should recognize Greek Cyprus. “We are a member of the European Union and have the same privileges as other EU members,” said Papadopoulos. In related news, Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Yorgos Yakovu said that he believed Ankara would soon re-evaluate the recognition issue. “Due to the Customs Union between Turkey and the EU, Turkey should recognize us. Not doing so will create problems,” he added. /Hurriyet/

APRIL INFLATION BEATS TARGETS
The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) yesterday released month-on-month inflation figures for April. Inflation last month was 0.59% on the consumer price index (CPI) and 2.65% on the wholesale price index (WPI), pushing year-to-year WPI to 8.91% and CPI to 10.18%. The last figure was well below the government’s 12% year-end target. /All papers/

TURKEY ECONOMICS CONGRESS TO BEGIN TOMORROW
The Fourth Turkey Economics Congress is due to begin tomorrow in Izmir. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc are expected to attend the five-day congress. Anne Krueger, the International Monetary Fund’s first deputy managing director, as well as officials from the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are also expected to attend the meeting. /Cumhuriyet/

PRINCE PHILIPPE TOUTS BELGIUM TO TURKISH INVESTORS
Speaking at a conference in Istanbul yesterday, visiting Belgian Prince Philippe touted investment opportunities in his country and urged Turkish investors to see this for themselves. In related news, Philippe’s wife Princess Mathilde yesterday visited the Association for Supporting Modern Life. /Cumhuriyet/