ERDOGAN: “TURKEY WANTS THE CHECHEN PROBLEM TO BE RESOLVED PEACEFULLY”
In the runup to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit this week to Ankara, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the Interfax news agency that Ankara favored a peaceful resolution to the Chechen issue within the framework of Russia’s territorial integrity. Stressing that Putin would be the first Russian President to visit Turkey in more than three decades, Erdogan said that that visit would strengthen bilateral relations. He said that during Putin’s trip, various issues, including Cyprus, the Middle East, Iraq and the Caucasus, would be taken up, plus certain agreements were expected to be signed. “We want to develop joint ventures with Russia in military matters,” added the premier. In addition, commenting on the Cyprus issue, he stated that there would be no cut in the number of Turkish soldiers on the island before a permanent settlement is reached. /Turkiye/
GUL: “TURKEY CAN TACKLE TERRORISM BY ITSELF”
Appearing on television yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey could tackle terrorism by itself. Stressing that the US was not nearing any crackdown on the terrorist group PKK/Kongra-Gel in northern Iraq, Gul said that Turkey could ensure its own security. Pointing to recent increase in terrorist attacks, the foreign minister described the terrorist group as panicked and close to a breakdown. Commenting on the Middle East issue, Gul said that Ankara supported the peace process in the region and continued to hold contacts with both sides. /Turkiye/
GUL MEETS WITH GERMAN EU MINISTER, DISCUSSES TRNC’S ISOLATION
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday received Germany’s visiting Minister for the European Union Hans Martin Bury to discuss a number of issues, including Cyprus. During their talks, Gul complained that planned EU measures to end the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) international isolation had been blocked by Greek Cypriots. “You should keep your promises,” urged Gul. Touching on Turkey’s EU bid, Bury said that he believed that Ankara would get a date this December from the Union to begin its accession talks. /Milliyet/
NEW PENAL CODE TO FACE MID-MONTH PARLIAMENT DEBATE, VOTE
Following recent contacts between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), the two have reached a consensus on controversial articles of the proposed new Turkish Penal Code (TCK). The 350-article bill is expected to be debated in Parliament on Sept. 14 during an extraordinary session. /Turkiye/
PUTIN: “TURKEY AND RUSSIA ARE NEIGHBORS WHO SHARE MUTUAL INTERESTS”
Appearing on CNN Turk in the leadup to his arrival in Ankara tomorrow for an official visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Turkey and Russia as neighbors sharing common interests. “I believe that with more cooperation we can reach our goals together,” said Putin, adding that in the first half of this year Turkish-Russian bilateral trade had risen 60%. “Our companies are ready to participate in Turkey’s privatization process,” he added. /Cumhuriyet/
BABACAN: “THE CURRENT ACCOUNTS DEFICIT IS NO THREAT”
State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said yesterday that Turkey’s rising current accounts deficit didn’t pose a threat to its economy, adding that there was no need to take measures to counter it. Speaking before leaving for a meeting in the Netherlands, Babacan said that the nation’s economy was in the midst of a radical change. Babacan further touted Turkey’s accomplishments in inflation, growth, and the primary surplus, adding that the government had surpassed its goals regarding these indicators. Touching on a foreseen new standby pact between Ankara and the International Monetary Fund, Babacan said that trust in fulfilling the new program was very important. Asked about whether credit cards constituted a problem, Babacan said that they did not, but added that a draft bill on the issue would soon be on Parliament’s agenda. /Aksam/
TOBB LAUNCHES SCHOLARS’ CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP BID
A new Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) project entitled “Political, Social and Cultural Dimensions of Turkey’s European Union Membership Bid” is being launched in order to promote the country’s efforts to join the Union’s ranks. The project, under which work by 22 scholars will be discussed at an Istanbul conference on Sept. 19-23, aims to strengthen scholarly ties between Turkey and EU member states. In addition, the scholars’ research will be collected into a book which will be sent to the EU decision-making organs to help lobby for Ankara’s membership bid. Stating that the objective of the project was touting Turkey’s EU aspirations, TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that a great many scholars from EU countries as well as the United States and Israel had expressed interest in the project, which is expected to have a positive effect on European public opinion. /Hurriyet – Star/
VERHEUGEN: “IF THE EP’S REPORT ON TURKEY IS POSITIVE, THEN ACCESSION TALKS CAN BEGIN IN 4-6 MONTHS”
Speaking in Brussels to the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that if the EP’s fall progress report on Turkey is positive, then accession talks could begin within four or six months. “Several months of preparation would be needed, so they would be after four or six months,” said the soon-to-be-retiring Verheugen, adding that Ankara was working hard to overcome its shortcomings for its EU bid. He stressed that Turkey could begin its accession talks as early as next April should the EU decide that the country is up to the EU`s economic and democratic standards. Verheugen stated that the progress report would be fair and objective, adding that the cost of Turkey’s membership would be discussed in a report set for release soon. /Milliyet/
EX-EU LEADERS: “TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP IS INEVITABLE”
A “Wise Men Commission” established by the Open Society Institute has prepared a report urging the European Union to start Turkey’s membership negotiations immediately. The commission made up of former EU leaders, including former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari and former French Premier Michel Rocard, is to officially release the report next week in Belgium. Underlining the inevitability of Turkey’s EU membership, the report argues that Ankara’s membership talks must begin as soon as possible. Furthermore, the former EU leaders express their belief that Turkey’s membership would help greatly to head off any future “clash of civilizations.” /Sabah/
STRAW: “TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP TALKS MUST BEGIN”
Turkey should be allowed to open membership talks with the European Union, since isolating the country would not serve anyone`s interests, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said yesterday during an official visit to Prague. “I know that views differ on this but people need to think very carefully about the strategic implications of pushing Turkey away, of pushing Turkey to the east and to the south,” added Straw. “I don`t think that`s in anybody`s interests in Europe. We have long supported Turkey`s membership of the European Union. Turkey is a European nation and part of Europe`s history, it is entitled as a member of the Council of Europe and NATO to make an application for membership of the European Union and I hope a decision will be made in December for a start to negotiations. There would be no better signal of Europe`s wish to support the spread of the universal values of freedom, tolerance and democracy than a positive decision to open accession negotiations with Turkey this December.” EU leaders are due to decide in December whether or not to begin accession negotiations with Ankara based on its progress in fulfilling the Union’s Copenhagen criteria. /Star/
TURKEY TO TAKE OVER NATO COMMAND IN AFGHANISTAN IN EARLY 2005
Turkey is scheduled to take over the command of NATO forces in Afghanistan next February. Turkey is expected to send some 1,000 soldiers, including supporting units, and to lead the troops for six months. /Turkiye/