GUL HOSTS DINNER FOR PM ERDOGAN
President Abdullah Gul yesterday hosted a dinner for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The leader's wives Hayrunnisa Gul and Emine Erdogan also attended the dinner hosted at the Foreign Ministry Residence. /Milliyet/
ERDOGAN, CHIEF OF STAFF BUYUKANIT ATTEND OPENING OF TUBITAK R&D CENTER
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyuakanit yesterday attended the opening of the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council's (TUBITAK) new research and development center. Also attending the opening were State Minister Mehmet Aydin, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Education Minister Huseyin Celik, Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug, Air Forces Commander Gen. Aydogan Babaoglu and Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Isik Kosaner as well as TUBITAK's acting president, Nuket Yetis. /Aksam/
SYRIAN DEPUTY PM VISITS TURKEY
Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah al-Dardari yesterday met with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other top officials during an official visit to Ankara. Afterwards, the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) hosted the visiting leader. Tomorrow Dardari is also set to attend a meeting organized by DEIK and the Turkey-Syria Business Council. At the gathering, Dardari will speak on business and investment opportunities in Syria. /Turkiye-New Anatolian/
NEW CONSTITUTION PROPOSES SWEEPING CHANGES
The text of a new constitution drafted by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government has been completed, and it proposes a host of sweeping changes, including allowing political parties below the 10% election threshold to win seats in Parliament, and shutting down controversial university watchdog the Board of Higher Education (YOK). After the draft text is presented for public debate, it will be brought before Parliament. The government is expected to discuss and vote on the draft constitution in the spring and complete this work within a few months. The draft constitution will later face a public referendum. /Today's Zaman/
SWEDEN OFFERS FULL BACKING FOR TURKEY'S EU BID
Sweden's Ambassador to Ankara Christer Asp said yesterday that his country gives full support to Turkey's accession to the European Union. Speaking during a visit to the southeastern province of Hatay, Asp also backed the Turkish military's cross-border operations into northern Iraq, saying that they are necessary to ensure security. "We don't want families to lose their children in Turkey," he said. /Turkish Daily News/