ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on June 27th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
ELECTRICITY PRICES TO RISE BY 21 PERCENT
After a 15 percent hike in electricity prices at the beginning of this year, there will be a 21 percent rise in prices as of July 1st. The price of electricity used in residences will be increased by 21 percent, while the price of electricity used in industry will rise by 22 percent as of July 1st.

HARSH REPORT FROM PACE ON CLOSURE CASE
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said a lawsuit to shut down Turkey`s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party caused great concerns. PACE approved a report on "the functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey" which said the mechanism of monitoring process for Turkey should be reviewed if such a need arose.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
IN HEART OF WORLD
Turkish national football team has returned home after losing the semi-final match against Germany with a last-minute goal. There was an enthusiastic welcoming ceremony in Istanbul for the team. Thousands of people waving Turkish flags in their hands gathered in famous Taksim Square to greet the soccer players.
Meanwhile, foreign press eulogized Turkish team`s play. L`Equipe newspaper of France wrote that Turks were magnificent while the British daily Guardian said that Turkey stole impartial football lovers` hearts.

PACE EXTENDS STRONG SUPPORT TO AKP
PACE has adopted a bill envisaging to establish a political monitoring mechanism for Turkey in case of closure of the ruling AK Party. PACE said that a court ruling to outlaw the political party would be a judicial blow.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
EU PROCESS DEPENDS ON LAWSUIT
PACE approved a report on "the functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey" prepared by Belgian MEP Luc Van den Brande. The report said the mechanism of monitoring process for Turkey should be reviewed, if such a need arose. It said PACE Monitoring Committee should closely inspect the efforts to prepare a new Turkish constitution as well as functioning of democracy in Turkey.

21 PERCENT ELECTRICITY PRICE HIKE
Turkey`s Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) approved a 22 percent hike in electricity prices for industry and a rise of 21 percent in electricity prices for residences beginning on July 1st.

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
-------------------
BRAVE-HEARTS
The world press has eulogized the Turkish national football team who lost the semi-final match out to Germany with a last-minute goal.
British BBC said that Turkey was the most dangerous football team of the world after conceding goal from their opponents while the Independent wrote that Turks enlivened the tournament with their brave performance and endless energy.
German Berliner Kurier newspaper wrote, "farewell brave Turks..."

WARNING
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has extended full support to the ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party. PACE warned that Turkey might be included in the black list in case of closure of the AK Party by the Constitutional Court.
The Assembly asked its Monitoring Committee to intensify its post-monitoring dialogue with Turkey, closely follow the development of the democratic functioning of its state institutions and, in particular, the constitutional drafting process, and if need be seriously consider the possibility of re-opening the monitoring procedure".

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
PKK OPENS FIRE ON MINIBUS, KILLING ONE
PKK terrorists opened fire on four civil vehicles carrying troops to the southeastern province of Diyarbakir with long-range weapons. Driver of one of the minibuses lost his life in the attack. Four troops were injured in the attack.

22 PERCENT INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY TARIFF
Turkey`s Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) has approved electricity distribution companies` demand to increase electricity fees. Accordingly, the price of electricity used in residences will be increased by 21 percent while the price of electricity used in industry will rise by 22 percent as of July 1st.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
LIKE CHAMPIONS
Turkish national soccer team impressed many with their fighting spirit, technical skills and strength in adversity that carried the team to the Euro 2008 semifinals. Although they were defeated by Germany 2-3, they have got full marks from the European sports executives. The Independent said: "Turks dazzled everyone". German Berliner Kurier said: "Goodbye brave Turks".

A400M AIRCRAFT INTRODUCED
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen attended a ceremony in which the first A400M aircraft, Europe`s biggest and most modern military transport aircraft, was introduced in Seville, Spain. Tuzmen said, "Turkish designers, engineers and technicians took part in this project."

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
WORLD TALKS ABOUT US
Although Turkey were defeated 2-3 by Germany in a semifinal match in EURO 2008, world press published news reports eulogizing Turkish national soccer team. Italian Tuttosport said Turkey were like Brazil. French Le Figaro said boys of Terim left the championship by holding their heads high. Le Monde said: "We will remember Turks."

5 PERCENT INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE
Minimum wage will rise by 5 percent as of July 1st. Those older than 16 years will receive a minimum wage of 503.2 YTL.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
HARSH WARNING FROM EUROPE
The Council of Europe has harshly warned Ankara. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) convened in Strasbourg to debate a report on Turkey. Following the session, the Assembly called on Turkey`s institutions to respect each other`s competence and join efforts to pursue political reforms that would turn the country into a modern democracy.
PACE also indicated that the lawsuit against the ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party, as well as the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Turkey, was seriously affecting political stability in the country and the functioning of democratic institutions.

CHP DESERVES EXPULSION FROM GROUP
The Republican People`s Party (CHP) has faced the risk of expulsion from the Socialist International (SI). CHP received harsh criticisms from Europe for hindering democratization process in Turkey.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
-------------------------
YOU DESERVE IT
Turkish national football team have returned home after losing the semi-final match against Germany with a last-minute goal. There was an enthusiastic welcoming ceremony at the airport in Istanbul for the team. Thousands of people greeted the soccer players like champions.
Meanwhile, Turkish Football Federation Chairman Hasan Dogan said that Fatih Terim, coach of the national team, would not quit. "Terim will coach the team for the 2010 World Cup," he said.

WARNING AGAINST JUDICIAL BLOW
PACE has expressed its concerns about the closure case against the ruling AK Party. The Assembly warned that the EU entry negotiations could be halted in case of a court ruling to outlaw the political party.

(EÖ-UK-MS)