PRESIDENT GUL TELEPHONES MUSHARRAF TO OFFER TURKEY'S SUPPORT
In a telephone call to his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf yesterday, President Abdullah Gul reportedly offered Turkey's support for Pakistan's fight against terrorism and its democratization. Gul also stated that if Turkey can do anything to aid Pakistan's stabilization and well-being, it stands ready. /Cumhuriyet/
TOPTAN: "TURKEY WON'T MAKE CONCESSIONS FROM DEMOCRACY, ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS OR THE ECONOMY"
Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said yesterday that Turkey would never forsake democracy, the fight against terrorism or economic progress. Addressing a panel in Parliament on non-governmental organizations' contributions to the legislative process, Toptan said that Turkey is going through a difficult period, but it will manage to face down all its challenges. Pointing to the importance of NGOs in a democratic country, the Parliament speaker urged the public to establish more NGOs to help promote the development of society. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN PRAISES TOP TURKISH CONTRACTORS
Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan yesterday attended an awards ceremony held by the Turkish Contractors Association (TMB) for 22 Turkish firms ranked among the world's 225 biggest contractors. Addressing the ceremony, Erdogan praised the firms' owners, managers and workers, saying that Turkish contractors are working under tough conditions in places like Afghanistan and Africa. He said that his government listens to the problems of investors, workers and employers inside and outside Turkey and has found solutions. Turning to the law on public procurement, Erdogan said there are some problems in the law which his government is trying to fix. State Minister Kursad Tuzmen also addressed the ceremony. /Aksam-Sabah/
CICEK: "THE GOVT HAS NO PLANS FOR A TERRORIST AMNESTY"
Following a nearly six-hour Cabinet meeting yesterday, Deputy Premier and government spokesman Cemil Cicek told reporters that the government was not planning any amnesty for PKK terrorists. Cicek stated that the Cabinet ministers had discussed the terrorist PKK and other current issues. He also reiterated the government's determination in the fight against terrorism. /Milliyet/
TURKIC CONGRESS IN BAKU CONCLUDES
The 11th Turkic State and Community Friendship, Solidarity and Cooperation Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan ended yesterday. A declaration issued at the end of the three-day gathering said that the Turkic world condemns foreign parliaments' passage of resolutions on the Armenian allegations. Pointing to the importance of cooperation on global peace and security, the declaration stressed that Turkic-speaking countries have always stood for peace and friendship. It also urged the Turkic states to help end the international isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and give support on the issues of Upper Karabakh and Iraq's Turkmen. /Turkiye/
AKP'S BAGIS: "A NEW RENAISSANCE CAN BE SEEN IN TURKEY"
Speaking at a forum titled "Turkey in Europe" in Trieste, Italy, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader Egemen Bagis yesterday said that even as Italy has changed governments, its support for Turkey has not wavered. Stating that prejudices can be dispelled through dialogue, Bagis said that a repeat of the Italian Renaissance is now being seen in Turkey. He also stressed that the AKP is the most liberal, reformist ruling party in Turkey's history. /Sabah/
EUROPEAN TOURISM GIANT SET TO EXPAND IN TURKEY
A European tourism giant yesterday signaled that it's ready to expand in the Turkish market. Michael Frenzel, the CEO of German-based TUI, said that his company already has hotels in Turkey and is ready to make new investments if they see opportunities. Pointing to Turkey's enormous tourism potential, Frenzel said that if Turkey wants to further capitalize on this, it should prioritize protecting the environment and keeping quality high. In related news, another leading international tour operator, Thomas Cook, chose the Xanadu Hotel in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya as the world's best hotel in the select category. The British-based firm selected Xanadu from over 10,000 hotels, based on customer satisfaction surveys. Thomas Cook serves 19 million tourists every year. /Star/