ERDOGAN MEETS WITH LUXEMBOURG PM IN PUSH FOR EU TALKS NEXT SPRING
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in Luxembourg for an official visit, yesterday met with his Luxembourg counterpart Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss a number of issues, including Turkey’s European Union membership bid and bilateral relations. Speaking at a joint press conference, Erdogan said that next month’s EU summit would be a test for the EU member states, adding that Ankara would reject its being treated differently than other candidates. Erdogan further stated that he wanted Turkey’s accession talks to begin next March or April, when Luxembourg holds the EU presidency. Asked whether Ankara would recognize Greek Cyprus before the summit, Erdogan said that it had no plans to revisit the issue. For his part, Juncker stressed his opposition to holding referendums on Turkey’s EU membership, adding that proposals for a “special partnership” were disrespectful. “I believe that Ankara will get a date at the Dec. 17 EU summit to start its talks,” said Juncker, and stressed his support for the talks beginning during Luxembourg’s six-month EU presidency. Juncker stated, however, that full EU membership could take 10-15 years. “Our final goal is Turkey’s full membership,” said Juncker. Later, Erdogan met with Luxembourg Parliament Speaker Lucien Weiler. /Milliyet/

BRITISH EUROPEAN MINISTER PREDICTS DATE FOR TALKS AT DECEMBER’S EU SUMMIT
Denis MacShane, Britain’s minister for European affairs, yesterday predicted that Turkey would get a date at December’s European Union summit to begin its accession talks, adding, however, that the Cyprus issue still remained unresolved. /Aksam/

EP AMENDS EURLINGS’ TURKEY REPORT
Camiel Eurlings, the European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteur, yesterday amended his recent report on Turkey, which came under harsh criticism for failing to take into account a host of reforms in Turkey towards its EU membership. With the changes, the report now recommends the beginning of Ankara’s membership negotiations. Eurlings had previously said that he was ready to change the report in light of the criticisms. The report will be discussed by EU leaders before the critical Dec. 17 summit where the Union is to decide whether to start Ankara’s membership talks. In related news, EP President Joseph Borrel is expected to pay an official visit to Turkey on Dec. 2-5. /Star/

GUL CALLS CONDUCT OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN FALLUJAH “UNACCEPTABLE”
Commenting on the killing of unarmed Iraqis in Fallujah by US soldiers as shown on TV over the weekend, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday criticized such actions as unacceptable violations of international norms. “The pictures [on television] had a deep impact on all of us,” said Gul. “I believe the soldiers who committed these crimes will face serious punishment.” /Turkiye/

FOREIGN MINISTRY DISCUSSES IRAQ
Foreign Ministry officials yesterday held a meeting under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to discuss recent developments in Iraq. Among the issues on the table were preparations for next week’s Iraq conference in Egypt, the latest developments in Fallujah, security problems of Turkish truck drivers in Iraq, and the Mideast situation in the wake of the death of Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat. /Cumhuriyet/

AGAR: “STOP THIS UNLAWFUL WAR”
True Path Party (DYP) Chairman Mehmet Agar yesterday blasted the recent American military operations in Fallujah, accusing the US of committing crimes against humanity in Iraq. “Let me say this to the American people: Stop this unlawful war,” he stated. “Protest this ugly war against Iraqi civilians. The US must immediately halt its massacre, this mass murder of civilians.” /Turkiye/

TWO TURKISH TRUCK DRIVERS KILLED IN IRAQ
Two Turkish truck drivers were killed in Balad in northern Iraq yesterday. With their death, the number of Turkish truck drivers killed in Iraq since July 17 climbed to 31. /All papers/

ERDEM ELECTED DEPUTY CHAIR OF NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
The 50th Annual Session of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly held in Venice, Italy concluded yesterday. The meetings focused on a number of issues, including reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Cyprus issue, the war on terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and NATO-European Union relations. In addition, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy Vahit Erdem was elected the assembly’s deputy chair, while AKP Deputy Egemen Bagis and main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Inal Batu were elected chairman of the Trans-Atlantic Relations Commission and deputy chair of the NATO Allies Committee, respectively. /Sabah/

GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS TURKEY
In Ankara for an official visit, German Defense Minister Peter Struck yesterday met with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Following their talks, Struck told reporters that his trip was not intended to convince Turkish officials to buy Leopard tanks. Stressing that Turkey should have modern armaments, Struck said that Germany had good equipment and weapons on offer. He stated that he had discussed with Gul the changes of command in Afghanistan and Bosnia, adding that official is expected to meet with his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul today. /Turkiye/

MINIMUM WAGE COMMISSION TO MEET
The Minimum Wage Determination Commission is scheduled today to begin work on setting next year’s minimum wage. During its first meeting, Labor and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu will deliver a speech and representatives of both employees and employers are expected to weigh in on the matter. The current minimum wage for workers over 16 is TL 444 million per month. /Turkiye/

TUZMEN: “THE VIOLENCE IN IRAQ IS HURTING TURKEY’S EXPORTS”
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said yesterday that the ongoing violence in Iraq was hurting Turkey’s economy. “Our annual export revenue losses due to the Iraq war are running $2-2.5 billion,” said Tuzmen. The minister, accompanied by a delegation, is in the midst of a four-day visit to Azerbaijan and Afghanistan in an effort to boost trade ties. /Turkýye/

RESTORED SELJUK SHRINE UNVEILED TO PUBLIC
The restored shrine of Sultan Sancar, a 12th century Seljuk ruler, was unveiled yesterday in Turkmenistan in a ceremony attended by State Minister Besir Atalay and Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Muhammed Gurbangeldiyev. The shrine’s restoration was carried out by the Turkish Cooperation and Development administration. Atalay stated that Turkey places the highest importance on the cultural unification of different civilizations in the region. “We put a high premium on the comprehensive development of our neighbors,” he added. /Turkiye/