ERDOGAN VISITS BULGARIA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday traveled to Sofia, Bulgaria to pay a two-day official visit at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart Simeon Sakskoburgotski. During their meetings, the two leaders reportedly discussed bilateral and regional issues. In addition, pointing to the terrorist group PKK’s resumption of attacks in Turkey, Erdogan called on Sakskoburgotski to cooperate in the fight against this terrorist group. At a joint press conference, Erdogan expressed his pleasure at seeing Bulgaria join NATO, adding that during his contacts with Bulgarian leaders, ways to boost trade and economic relations would be discussed. Later, speaking at a Turkish-Bulgarian Business Forum, Erdogan remarked that Turkish investors had a larger presence in Bulgaria than did any other country, with involvement in over 2,000 firms. “Turkish businessmen have full trust in the Bulgarian economy,” said the Turkish premier. In the evening, Erdogan attended a banquet hosted by Sakskoburgotski in his honor. /Milliyet/

ERDOGAN: “TURKEY WILL NOT PULL ITS TROOPS FROM CYPRUS”
Before his departure for Bulgaria, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday spoke to reporters at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport. Asked about rumors that Turkey would withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Cyprus, he stated that Ankara had no such intention. Commenting his one-day visit to Jordan on Monday, Erdogan said that his government had decided to pay impromptu visits to neighboring countries from time to time to discuss issues. Meanwhile, Erdogan reportedly called his Greek counterpart Costas Karamanlis yesterday to congratulate the Greek soccer team on its European championship win. /Hurriyet/

COX PRAISES TURKEY’S EFFORTS ON ROAD TO EU MEMBERSHIP
European Parliament President Pat Cox yesterday met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently paying a visit to Bulgaria, at Sofia’s Hilton Hotel. Cox reportedly told Erdogan about the new makeup of the European Parliament in the wake of recent EP elections. Speaking to reporters, Cox said that Turkey had achieved “unbelievable” reforms on its road to European Union membership. He stressed that he believed Turkey’s tremendous efforts would be taken into consideration during the December EU summit when the Union makes a decision on setting a date for Ankara’s membership talks. He added that Turkey’s positive stance on the Cyprus issue would be a plus during the decision-making process. /Turkiye/

EU COMMISSION TO ANNOUNCE AID PACKAGE FOR TRNC TODAY
The European Union Commission is expected to officially announce an aid package today for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The 19-page package is to offer the TRNC financial aid totaling some 260 billion euros over three years in order redress the economic and social imbalance on the island between its Turkish and Greek sides. It also proposes opening an office in the TRNC to monitor how the aid is implemented. /Star/

IRAQI INTERIM PM ALLAWI: “WE DON’T WANT TURKISH TROOPS HERE”
Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said yesterday that his country did not want any neighboring countries to send troops to Iraq. In an interview with Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV, Allawi stated that as the Iraqi Governing Council had resolved to avoid offending any sensitivities in the country, it did not want Turkish forces to be allowed to enter Iraq, a development which it felt would extremely upset Kurdish groups. /Cumhuriyet/

IRAN LAUNCHES OPERATION AGAINST PKK/KONGRA-GEL TERRORISTS
Iranian security forces have reportedly launched a large-scale operation against PKK/KONGRA–GEL terrorists near the Turkish-Iranian border. According to the Anatolia News Agency, two Iranian soldiers and eight terrorists have been killed so far in the clashes along the border. Turkish security sources confirmed the reports, saying that they were part of a comprehensive operation launched by Iranian security forces. According to the reports, the Iranian army is using helicopters and heavy weapons during the operation, which is in fact still continuing. In the wake of a chilly period during which Ankara and Tehran traded accusations of harboring terrorists, the two countries have recently improved their cooperation on security issues, including efforts to fight the PKK/KONGRA-GEL. /Milliyet/

ERDOGAN BRIEFS HIS PARTY ON NEW 3-YEAR ECONOMIC PROGRAM
Addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) parliamentary group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted that all economic indicators showed a growth rate exceeding expectations for the last 20 months, or as long as the AKP has been in office. “Our party has been very successful in its economic program, since all economic indicators are higher than expected,” said Erdogan. “Of course we’ve had a number of disappointments. For example, we know that we’ve failed to reach our goal concerning unemployment.” Erdogan also briefed his party on a new three-year economic program, which, he said, would fit Turkey’s social and economic realities. “This program will inject fresh vigor into our economy,” pledged Erdogan. /Aksam/

FOREIGN INVESTORS URGE STREAMLINED PROCEDURES
Yesterday’s meeting of the Direct Foreign Investment Board, a body affiliated with the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), focused on government measures needed to eliminate obstacles to foreign investors. Representatives of companies backed by foreign capital conveyed their complaints to Babacan, asking the government to take effective measures to streamline bloated bureaucracies which they argued handicap business operations. For his part, Babacan stated that he expected direct foreign capital inflow to rise this year. “The time will come for us to launch a new promotional campaign after the European Union sets a date for Turkey to start its membership negotiations,” added Babacan. /Sabah/

11TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL JAZZ FEST BEGINS
The 11th International Istanbul Jazz Festival organized by the Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation (IKSV) is set to begin today, an important 12-day music event featuring 33 bands and more than 200 musicians from Turkey and abroad. Among famous performers at the festival will be Joan Baez, Bobby Mcferrin and Voicestra, Paco De Lucia and Charlie Haden. /Cumhuriyet/