GUL: "DESPITE DIFFICULTIES, TURKEY IS MOVING FORWARD"
Speaking to Sabah daily yesterday, President Abdullah Gul said that he hoped Turkey would carry out comprehensive constitutional changes this year which meet the expectations of all sectors of Turkish society. Stating that there is a consensus on the need for such change, Gul said it is important that this is done though a common sense, participatory method that avoids political squabbling. Asked about claims that 2008 was a "lost year" for Turkey due to domestic issues, Gul said, "We saw some difficulties during the year, but if we look at the picture as a whole, I can say Turkey is moving forward and gaining strength. Turkey emerged from those difficulties by getting stronger." On the economic impact of the global financial crisis, Gul said Turkey was not caught unprepared by the crisis, urging everyone to continue to work together to counter the crisis and avoid a panic. Gul also said that he has a good working relationship with the government and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan in harmony, dismissing claims to the contrary. /Sabah/
PM ERDOGAN VISITS EGYPT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday paid a one-day visit to Sharm-El Sheikh, where he met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Afterwards, Erdogan told a press conference that they had had a very fruitful meeting and that Turkey had suggested a two-stage plan to end the tension on the Gaza Strip. Erdogan said that the first stage of the plan is to launch an initiative for the immediate declaration of a cease-fire, and that the second is to reach a quick consensus between Palestinian groups. Erdogan said that Turkey was ready to cooperate with Egypt in bringing the Palestinian issue to the UN. Asked how developments in the region would affect Turkish-Israeli relations, Erdogan said, "Intergovernmental relations should never involve emotions. They should involve knowledge, wisdom and experience. However, injustice should never be permitted either. If there is cruelty, we cannot support that. We would try to solve it through talks." /Milliyet/
TRT'S NEW KURDISH CHANNEL SIGNS ON WITH MESSAGES FROM GUL, ERDOGAN
TRT 6, the first Kurdish channel of the state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), yesterday officially started full broadcasts with a ceremony held at TRT's Ari Studio in Ankara. The new channel signed on with inaugural messages from President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In his message, President Gul said that he hoped the new channel's broadcasts would strengthen the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation, characterizing Kurdish as a cultural richness of the Turkish people. Gul said that he appreciated TRT's broadcasting in the various languages and dialects used in Turkey. Stating that everyone should protect Turkey's atmosphere of solidarity, unity and fellowship, he said that everyone living in Turkey, as owners and proud, equal citizens of the country, can express their own culture and differences peacefully. In his message, Erdogan called the new channel a landmark development. "This is a step that will strengthen our unity and integrity and deepen our democracy," he said. "All our citizens have equal rights and freedoms. Democracy is a wide circle in which all people have the right and opportunity to express themselves." He added, "People might have different ethnic origins, beliefs or lifestyles, but we have very strong common values uniting us. Citizenship in the Turkish Republic rises above all differences. There is no need to fear our differences. Seeing and living these differences as our richness will not drive us away from each other, but on the contrary, will bring us closer." Gul and Erdogan's messages were broadcast with Kurdish dubbing and Turkish subtitles. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, State Minister for the Economy Mehmet Simsek said in recent years Turkey has seen remarkable improvements in fundamental rights and freedoms and significant steps towards the formation of a more democratic society. /Sabah/
ANKARA MAYOR GOKCEK SET TO RUN AGAIN UNDER AKP BANNER
Turkey's mayors should produce services and develop their cities, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. Speaking at his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters, he announced that Ankara Greater Municipality Mayor Melih Gokcek has been nominated for another term for local elections this March. "We urge those who are well-educated, honest and experienced to take up their tasks. Candidates should produce projects to improve their regions," he added. Erdogan also announced that Gaziantep's Asim Guzelbey and Erzurum's Ahmet Kucukler have been re-nominated as AKP mayoral candidates. Erdogan urged all the candidates to maintain their ties with the public. /Star/
TURKEY BEGINS NON-PERMANENT UNSC MEMBERSHIP
Turkey's non-permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) started yesterday. Turkey will be represented by its UN Ambassador Baki Ilkin at the first meeting of the year, set for next Monday. Turkey won the non-permanent UNSC seat in a vote last October. /Milliyet/