GUL RECEIVES NGOs FROM DIYARBAKIR
President Abdullah Gul yesterday received at the Cankaya Presidential Palace a delegation representing non-governmental organizations from the southeastern province of Diyarbakir. The delegation gave Gul a report about the region's problems and invited him to visit. They also asked Gul to pressure the government to complete the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP). The main topics of the meeting were democratization, incentives for investment, Turkey's European Union bid, and controversial Article 301. In related news, Gul yesterday visited the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK). /Sabah/
TURKEY SEEKS PACIFIC COUNTRIES' SUPPORT FOR SEAT ON UN SECURITY COUNCIL
A Turkey-Pacific islands' foreign ministers meeting began yesterday in Istanbul. Addressing the gathering, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan brought up Turkey's financial aid to underdeveloped countries in the Pacific island region and asked the countries to support Turkey's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2009-2010. During the meeting, Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Samuel Abal expressed strong support for Turkey's candidacy. Saying that small Pacific island countries face many challenges and problems in the globalized world, especially climate change caused by other countries, Abal added that his country admires the growth and development Turkey has shown in recent years. After the first session of the meeting, Babacan told reporters that most of the countries present support Turkey's UN Security Council bid. Asked about Turkey not having signed the Kyoto anti-global warming pact, Babacan said, "The decision to approve or not approve this protocol is up to individual countries, and Turkey is evaluating the terms of this protocol. Each country can have a different approach to the issue." He added that Turkey is stronger on environmental issues than many European countries. /Cumhuriyet/
LAND FORCES COMMANDER VISITS TRNC
Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug yesterday traveled to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to inspect troops stationed there. Basbug was received by TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat, Parliament Speaker Fatma Ekenoglu and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer. Afterwards, Basbug said, "All the Turkish units on the island since 1974, when the Cyprus Turkish peace operation took place, brought peace and security to Cyprus. Today, the TRNC is a reality. If you are urging a comprehensive, permanent and just solution, you have to accept this reality." For his part, Talat said that he strived to realize a just and lasting political solution. /Turkiye/
CZECH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION: "WE SUPPORT TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP"
A delegation from the Czech House of Representatives' European Affairs Committee yesterday met with members of Parliament's EU Harmonization Committee. Afterwards, Jan Bauer, deputy chair of the committee, said that they support Turkey joining the EU when it fulfills all the necessary criteria and that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal for a "Mediterranean union" was no replacement for EU membership. /Turkiye/
TOP EU OFFICIALS TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY TODAY
European Union Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso and Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn are set to arrive in Ankara today to meet with Turkish officials amid high tension over the closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and claims that Turkey's EU reforms have stalled. This will be only the second time Ankara has hosted an EU Commission head during the decades it has sought EU membership. Barroso and Rehn are expected to begin their stay by paying with a visit to Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum. Following a luncheon with President Abdullah Gul, the two top EU officials will meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Then they will go to Parliament, and after Barroso addresses the General Assembly, they will meet separately with members of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Democratic Society Party (DTP). The visit reportedly will focus on urging officials to accelerate Turkey's EU reform process. In related news, CHP officials yesterday said Barroso should not touch on the AKP closure case during his address to Parliament. They said that no one has the right to comment on an ongoing case, adding that Turkey's legislature is independent and doesn't need EU permission to do its duty. EU officials have said the case jeopardizes Turkey's membership bid. /Milliyet/