QUEEN ELIZABETH BEGINS HER LANDMARK VISIT TO TURKEY
Britain's Queen Elizabeth yesterday arrived in Ankara to pay a four-day official visit at the invitation of President Abdullah Gul. The queen's husband Prince Philip and British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband is also accompanying the queen on her visit. The British monarch was welcomed with an official ceremony at the Cankaya Presidential Palace by Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa. The queen first visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. "It is an honor to pay my respects to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a much-beloved friend of the United Kingdom and one of the great figures of modern history," she wrote in Anitkabir's memorial guestbook. Gul and his wife later hosted a banquet at the Presidential Palace in the queen's honor. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan, and many leading figures from politics, business, and the media also attended. During the dinner, the queen made a toast in honor of the friendship between the two countries, and stressed Turkey's importance for Europe and the world. Saying that Turkey has been going through a critical period in recent years, the queen reiterated Britain's firm support for Turkey's EU accession bid, and highlighted the strategic partner relationship between the two countries. Referring to Ataturk's famous words on the British soldiers who died in Canakkale during World War I - "Those who lost their lives here are now sons of the Turkish people" - the queen said, "Ataturk is a great leader for not only the Turkish people, but also the British people." For his turn, Gul also underlined Turkey's strategic relationship with Britain, and said, "Our armies faced each other a number of times. But they also fought shoulder to shoulder against common enemies." Today the queen will travel to Bursa and visit historical sites of the city. She will also watch a traditional Turkish puppet show, and attend a fashion show. The international media is closely following her visit, and 750 foreign journalists and reporters are covering it. First Lady Hayrunnisa Gul will also accompany the queen on her visit to Bursa. /Sabah/
ERDOGAN CRITICIZES OPPOSITION AS BEING ANTI-EU
At his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) group meeting, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that objections to EU do nothing to preserve Turkey's dignity and prestige. "These objections are not a position meant to preserve secularism either," he added. "Because it would be madness to say that EU was against secularism." Erdogan also said that Turkey gets closer to EU standards every day, but opposition parties are resisting this change. He said that the PKK has become isolated both in Turkey and abroad, leaving the terrorist group on its own. "Everyone has begun abandoning terrorism and terrorists," he explained. "And the terrorist group will either leave this path or be abandoned on this path." Erdogan also said that the government would soon announce a series of new steps to boost economic and social development in eastern and southeastern Turkey. /Milliyet-Aksam/
PM ERDOGAN: "EVEN WHEN THERE ARE DIFFERENCES, THE GOVT DOESN'T INTERVENE IN THE CENTRAL BANK"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that the government may hold discussions and exchange views on monetary policy, but it doesn't intervene in the Central Bank's business. Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Erdogan said that even if the government and the CB have different views on policy matters, the CB has an autonomous structure and the government can't intervene in its business. /Hurriyet/
OPPOSITION LEADERS CRITICIZE EU OFFICIALS' STATEMENTS ON TURKEY
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday responded to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's remarks that secularism cannot be imposed by force, saying, "Nobody in Turkey or in the EU has the right to veto the CHP's understanding of democracy. Everybody should be respectful, and they shouldn't see Turkey as a horde to be directed by another's command." In related news, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday said that he would be pleased if the Constitutional Court doesn't close down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), but that a closure decision wouldn't mean the end of the world. Bahceli also strongly criticized recent statements by European Union officials on issues relating to Turkey. "The inspectors of Brussels haughtily making remarks about the fundamentals of the Republic of Turkey have strained the already tense atmosphere even more," he added. /Milliyet/
CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF BUYUKANIT TO ATTEND NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS TODAY
Spring meetings of the Military Committee, NATO's highest military decision-making organ, will begin in Brussels today. Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit will attend the two days of meetings to discuss issues such as cyber-defense and ongoing military operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. /Turkiye/
DSP LEADER SEZER CALLS ON GOVT TO RESIGN OVER PARTY CLOSURE CASE
Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer yesterday urged the government to resign due to the closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Speaking at his party's meeting in Ankara, Sezer said that the government was making missteps in many areas, including the economy, foreign policy and social security, adding that this was casting a pall over the country's future. Sezer stressed that his party was against party closures, but added that no one can act against the Constitution or the laws. He added that the government should resign for the sake of the ongoing closure case. /Cumhuriyet/
DTP'S TURK URGES GOVT TO SOLVE KURDISH ISSUE
Democratic Society Party (DTP) group leader Ahmet Turk said yesterday that if the government fails to solve the Kurdish issue, another terror group could rise out of the PKK's ashes. Addressing deputies at his party's parliamentary group meeting, Turk criticized the government's operations against the terrorist PKK. Pointing to the premier's call for the PKK militants to surrender, Turk said that the PKK was a result of the Kurdish issue, not the reason for it. The issue can't be resolved through the surrender of a handful of militants, said Turk, urging the government to take concrete steps to find a settlement to the Kurdish issue. /Cumhuriyet/
ALBANIA FM UNDERLINES BETTER RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
Speaking to Turkiye daily, Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha yesterday said Turkey and Albania enjoy very good political ties, and added that Turkey has always provided support for his country on every issue. Stressing that the Albanian government is very pleased to see Turkish investors in Albania, Basha also said his country hopes to boost cooperation with Turkey in every area. On May 6 Albania took over the term presidency of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSECO) for six months. /Turkiye/
TUZMEN ATTENDS MEETING TO BOOST TRADE WITH AFRICA
State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen yesterday attended the third "Turkey-Africa: Foreign Trade Bridge" meeting organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON). Speaking at the opening ceremony in Istanbul, Tuzmen warned that food and energy prices are soaring and that cooperation in these areas is a must. Pointing out that in 2003 the trade volume between Turkey and African countries amounted to $5.4 billion, he added that this rose to $13 billion at the end of 2007 due to improving bilateral relations. "We aim to boost our trade volume with African countries to $50 billion by the end of 2012," he added. TUSKON Chairman Rizanur Meral said that in recent years Turkey's exports to African countries had increased 78.4% and its imports 78.7%. /Turkiye/