GUL: "THE ARAB WORLD SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP"
President Abdullah Gul yesterday was received by his counterpart Hosni Mubarak in an official ceremony at Cairo's Presidential Palace. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Gul said that there are no problems in Turkish-Egyptian relations. Saying that Turkey's dialogue with the Arab world has shown steady development, Gul stated these ties strengthen Turkey and that the Arab world supports Turkey's EU membership. Afterwards, Gul attended a luncheon hosted by Turkish Ambassador to Cairo Safak Gokturk. Later, at a Turkish-Egypt Business Forum, Gul said that the two countries have a great potential for energy cooperation. Saying that Egyptian natural gas will be transported to Europe via Turkey, Gul added that work on a pipeline for this is moving forward rapidly. /Hurriyet-Turkiye/
ERDOGAN: "TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP WOULD REBUFF THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday stated that Turkey's European Union membership will be an opportunity to promote an alliance of civilizations and warned, "Every hurdle put before Turkey out of religious and cultural motives will be stones in a wall blocking the way to daylight, harmony and tolerance." The first Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative yesterday started in Madrid with speeches by Erdogan, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN's high representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio. In his speech, Erdogan said that Turkey, a member of both NATO and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), is the only country currently in membership negotiations with the EU. He said that with such characteristics, Turkey effectively rebuffs the idea of a clash of civilizations. Erdogan said that Turkey remains willing to fulfill its responsibilities for harmonization with the EU. In related news, Erdogan separately met with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Spanish opposition leader Mariano Rajoy, and OIC Secretary-General and Turkish scholar Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. /Milliyet/
SPANISH PRESS COVERS ZAPATERO'S SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's meeting with his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero yesterday got extensive coverage in the Spanish media. "Zapatero supported Turkey's accession to European Union without hesitation," reported El Pais daily. "In spite of France and Germany's doubts, Zapatero gave his support to Turkey's EU membership." In related news, German Prime Minister Angela Merkel yesterday told reporters in Berlin that Erdogan would visit Germany next month for an official visit set to focus on Ankara's EU bid. She also said that the exact date for the visit was still being decided. /Milliyet/
DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF SAYGUN VISITS BAGHDAD
Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen. Saygun yesterday paid a surprise visit to Baghdad at the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart Gen. Naseer al-Abadi. The two top commanders discussed the terrorism issue and long-term military cooperation between the two countries. Saygun also met with US Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of the multinational force in Iraq, to talk about anti-terror efforts. /Star/
OPPOSITION LEADERS CRTICIZE ERDOGAN'S REMARKS ON HEADSCARF ISSUE
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent remark saying that wearing a headscarf shouldn't be considered a crime even if it's a political symbol. "He has always said it wasn't a political symbol," said Baykal. "Now he admits it." Baykal added that Turkey doesn't have a problem with "normal people" covering their heads, adding, "The problem in Turkey isn't the traditional way of covering the head, but the Islamic headscarf." In related news, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli criticized Erdogan's remarks as being insincere. He urged Erdogan to stop making statements about Turkey's national and spiritual values in foreign countries. /All papers/
PACE'S LINDEN VISITS KONYA
Rene Van der Linden, head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), yesterday visited Konya. Speaking to reporters, Linden said that Turkey should be a full member of the European Union. Pointing to Turkey's important role in NATO and as a founding member of the Council of Europe, Linden added that Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities admirably. /Turkiye/
REHN: "THE EU IS SET TO OPEN TWO MORE CHAPTERS FOR NEGOTIATION"
In Brussels yesterday, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn announced that EU is set to open two more chapters of Turkey's accession talks by the end of the July. The chapters on taxation and the free moment of goods will be opened, he said, adding that he was pushing for the energy chapter to follow suit soon as possible. /Turkiye/