GUL, BABACAN ATTEND NATO SUMMIT
President Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday attended a NATO summit of heads of state and government in Bucharest, Romania. Speaking at a special session on Afghanistan, Gul said that Turkey's support for Afghanistan was steady and continuing. "We will continue to support Afghanistan in ways both military and civilian," said Gul. Afterwards, Babacan met with US President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN ATTENDS TURKEY-SWEDEN BUSINESS FORUM
Speaking at a Turkey-Sweden Business Forum yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the importance of cooperation and solidarity between the two nations. Erdogan said that Turkey was advancing with determination on its path towards the European Union, including its full membership talks. "Any different kind of membership is unacceptable for Turkey," said Erdogan. "We're doing our homework well. We're doing what's necessary, in line with the program which was indicated to us." Erdogan added that the EU should make a decision on Turkey. /Turkiye/
CYPRUS' LOKMACI GATE REOPENED
Officials of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot administration yesterday reopened the Lokmaci Gate between the capitals of the two countries to crossings in both directions. The move followed negotiations with the UN and is hoped to herald new talks to resolve the issue of the divided island. /Cumhuriyet/
LAGENDIJK: "CLOSURE OF THE AKP SHOULD BE PREVENTED"
Speaking at a conference in Istanbul yesterday, Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-Chair Joost Lagendijk said that the case seeking the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) should be blocked. Lagendijk suggested that the government should submit a comprehensive reform package to prevent such party closures. /Milliyet/
REHN: "THE EU'S SUPPORT IS FOR DEMOCRACY, NOT ANY POLITICAL PARTY"
European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said yesterday that the EU's support in Turkey is for democracy, not any particular party, including the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Speaking at the European Parliament's Foreign Relations Commission about developments in the Balkans and nearby regions, Rehn said that the EP doesn't endorse any party in Turkey, but that it is defending the EP's values. Rehn added that the EU's role in Turkey is to make sure that the political criteria are applied and also to support democracy. /Milliyet/