ARINC VISITS MOROCCO
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday traveled to Morocco to pay a five-day official visit at the invitation of his Moroccan counterpart Abdelwahad Radi. During his contacts, bilateral relations will be taken up. /Sabah/
WORLD BANK SUPPORTS END TO TRNC ISOLATION
World Bank Turkey Director Andrew Vorkink, who is currently holding contacts in Turkey, said yesterday that after international sides take their stance on Cyprus, the World Bank would extend its help to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to end its international isolation. Stressing that the result of April’s referendum on the island had been a huge disappointment, Vorkink said that a great opportunity had been missed with the Greek Cypriots’ rejection of unification. Vorkink stated that the TRNC needed reforms to its banking system, state administration and social security, adding that when its situation was cleared, foreign investment would flow to the country. He also said that TRNC’s tourism potential was higher than that of the southern part of the island. /Turkiye/
TALAT AND SERDAR DENKTAS TO VISIT ANKARA
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas are due to arrive in Ankara on Wednesday to pay an official visit. During their visit, Talat and Denktas are expected to discuss a number of issues, including the recent TRNC government crisis and efforts to end the TRNC’s international isolation. /Cumhuriyet/
WESTON: “DENKTAS IS THE TRNC’S EX-LEADER; WE’LL DEAL WITH TALAT”
Speaking to Greek daily Fileleftros yesterday, Special US Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston said that longtime Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas was the nation’s ex-leader and that TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat now represented the Turkish Cypriots. “The person we’ll deal with is Talat,” said Weston. He stressed that the US administration would help the TRNC to bring its isolation to an end, adding that this help wouldn’t be merely symbolic. “The Turkish Cypriots don’t want an independent state,” he said. “They only want international assistance which will contribute to its economic development.” Weston stressed that the Turkish Cypriots bore no responsibility for not reaching a resolution on the island. Also touching on Turkey’s European Union membership bid, Weston said that he hoped that Greek Cypriots wouldn’t try to hinder it. /Milliyet/
BRITISH PRINCE ANDREW TO ARRIVE IN ANKARA TODAY
British Prince Andrew is due to arrive in Ankara today for a three-day official visit. During his stay, Andrew is expected to meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer as well as Turkish businessmen to discuss difficulties faced by British investors in Turkey. Speaking before his arrival, Andrew reiterated British support for Turkey’s full European Union membership, adding that it was very important for both Turkey and Britain. /Hurriyet/
DEPUTIES’ IMMUNITIES TO BE DISCUSSED AT PARLIAMENT COMMISSION
Parliament’s Constitutional and Justice Joint Commission is set to convene on Wednesday to discuss some 140 files on deputies’ immunities. The commission chaired by Burhan Kuzu will decide whether to lift the deputies’ immunities or postpone the matter. /Turkiye/
GULER: “HIGH OIL PRICES WILL CONTINUE”
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler, who is currently in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to attend the Ninth International Energy Form, warned yesterday that high oil prices could continue for quite some time. He added that in light of Iraq’s unstable situation and a lack of investment in oil refineries in the US, prices were going higher. In addition, Guler said that he had met with a number of energy ministers attending the forum, adding, “They all praised Turkey’s recent reforms on its road to European Union membership.” /Sabah/
TOBB HEAD: “SINCE THE ECONOMY IS FRAGILE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD COMPLETE STRUCTURAL REFORMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”
Appearing on television yesterday, Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu warned that recent developments proved that the economy was fragile, adding that the government should be careful and complete its structural reforms as soon as possible. “I’m afraid that we may face a new economic crisis,” added Hisarciklioglu. /Cumhuriyet/