ERDOGAN: "WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH BAGHDAD OVER THE FIGHT AGAINST THE TERRORIST PKK"
Turkey doesn't have the slightest problem with the Iraqi central government over the fight against the terrorist PKK, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday in the wake of his Wednesday meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Speaking to reporters, Erdogan stated that there was a consensus on measures needed against the terrorist group. Asked whether any concrete steps on making the PKK lay down its arms had been taken at the meeting, Erdogan stressed that the Iraqi government isn't involved with that aspect of the issue. "We discussed investment in fields such as energy, education, and infrastructure," he added. /Milliyet/
PM ERDOGAN TOUTS TURKISH CONTRACTORS' ACHIEVEMENTS ABROAD
Speaking at a ceremony in Ankara yesterday recognizing Turkish contractors' achievements abroad this year, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government pays a great deal of attention to foreign contacts and is constantly working to boost Turkey's trade volume. Thanking Turkish contractors for making him proud with their work overseas, Erdogan said, "I have always been proud to hear from foreign presidents and prime ministers about the successes of Turkish contractors." He said Turkish contractors' overseas projects would reach $2.5 billion by year's-end, adding that the long-term goal is to have projects worth $50 billion all over the world. "Turkey ranks third in the world, after the US and China, in projects assumed by its contractors overseas," he said. "This is important, as it shows Turkey's potential. Facilitating a stable environment guided by an atmosphere of trust and the government's efforts to address our problems will help Turkey reach its potential. No one should doubt this. We will continue to succeed." On the global economic crisis and Turkey, he said the only way out of the crisis is to seek new investments opportunities to turn it into an opportunity. Erdogan said that the government is continuing to take measures to counter the crisis and to protect the real sector. He also said that the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) candidates for next year's local elections in 46 provinces, including Ankara, would be announced over the weekend. /Turkiye/
COURT RULING ON DISSOLVED MUNICIPALITIES SPURS DEBATE
A recent Council of State ruling allowing municipalities dissolved by Parliament to participate in the local elections next March has spurred heated debate among Turkey's high judicial bodies. Parliament passed a law earlier this year declaring that municipalities with populations below 2,000 would not take part in the local elections, and the Constitutional Court approved this measure. The Council of State, however, just ruled that those 862 municipalities could in fact take part in the elections. The Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) also adopted a course of action on the municipalities in line with the Council of State ruling. The Constitutional Court had previously announced that those municipalities could not appeal to the judiciary to overturn the decision. This week, both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Constitutional Court Chief Justice Hasim Kilic accused the Council of State of overstepping its authority and violating the Constitution. In response to the criticisms, the Council of State released a statement saying that Erdogan's comments are out of line with the rule of law and accusing Chief Justice Kilic of overstepping his constitutional duty, authority and responsibility. Other Constitutional Court members have also spoken out, criticizing Kilic's accusations of the Council of State. Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said everyone must comply with Constitutional Court rulings. Commenting on the debate, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal called the situation a crisis in Turkey's judicial system, blaming Erdogan for causing the dispute. /Sabah/
INONU COMMEMORATED 35 YEARS AFTER HIS PASSING
Ismet Inonu, Ataturk's successor as second president of the Turkish Republic, was commemorated yesterday on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of his death. Among those attending a ceremony at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum, were Deputy Presidency Secretary-General Nadir Alparslan on behalf of President Abdullah Gul, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, State Minister Murat Basesgioglu, Ankara Governor Kemal Onal, military officers, bureaucrats, and members of Inonu's family. During the ceremony, the attendees laid a wreath at Inonu's tomb and observed a minute of silence. /Milliyet/
MINIMUM WAGE RISING TO 527 YTL NEXT YEAR
The government will raise the minimum wage by 4.3 percent for the first six months of 2009 and by another 4.1 percent for the second half of the year. With this hike, the lowest salary will reach 527 YTL. /Aksam/