GUL: "CHANGING POLITICAL WINDS WON'T SWAY THE EU FROM ITS PRINCIPLES AND GOALS":

The most important thing in Turkish-European Union relations is to abide by the rules and legal precedents established over the years, President Abdullah Gul told reporters at the Cankaya Presidential Palace yesterday. Commenting on the rightward swing in Sunday's European Parliament elections, Gul said, "People who voiced opposition to Turkey today might change their position later." He dismissed anti-Turkish campaign rhetoric by certain politicians, especially French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "What matters," he said, "is the opinion of the Turkish and European public." Politicians come and go, he added, stressing the importance of long-term goals set by the Union and member states. "The important thing is to continue preparing the country for full EU membership," Gul said. Also touting a six-episode documentary on renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, Gul said the film was shot in various former Ottoman countries, and praised the filmmakers. Stating that the Season of Turkish Culture Activities in France, jointly sponsored by Ankara and Paris, will start soon to help promote Turkish culture to the French people, Gul said that he would travel to France to launch the season along with Sarkozy. Activities during the event, starting on July 1 and continuing through next March, will take place in over 40 cities with 400 programs. Turkish and French companies are partially funding the event. /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN: "THE EP ELECTION RESULTS WON'T DERAIL TURKEY 'S EU BID"
Speaking at his Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting yesterday in the wake of Sunday's European Parliament elections, in which rightist parties drubbed social democrats, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that European leaders who oppose Turkey's EU bid must nevertheless keep the Union's promises to Ankara. Erdogan said the new EP wouldn't result in changes to the EU's fundamental policies and goals. Pointing to the record low election turnout of 43 percent, Erdogan said a number of parties and politicians centered their campaigns around their opposition to Turkey 's EU bid, and added, "The post-election picture has been painted as negative for Turkey's accession bid, but these results can't sway the EU from its fundamental principles and policies." Stressing that Turkey is continuing its accession not with words, but with actions, Erdogan said, "The membership criteria are there. Keeping promises and abiding by already established principles and rules is the basis of the spirit of unity. Those who act in violation of this spirit, loyalty and pact would, before anything else, take an approach contrary to the EU's founding principles." He also said Turkey's membership cannot be overlooked in debates over the EU's borders, adding that those who oppose Turkey's bid are hindering the EU's global vision. "Those who are concerned with saving themselves today will have to answer before history tomorrow," Erdogan said. /Sabah/

IN ISLAMABAD , FM DAVUTOGLU MEETS WITH PAKISTANI COUNTERPART:

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday met in Islamabad with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Afterwards, Davutoglu told reporters that Turkey will continue to give Pakistan humanitarian aid and urged international groups to better coordinate their efforts in the country. Davutoglu also held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani and presented to him a humanitarian aid check of $10 million. /Aksam/

REHN: "BOTH THE EU AND TURKEY SHOULD DO THEIR PART TO CONTINUE THE MEMBERSHIP PROCESS":

Turkey's aim to join the European Union continues, said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn yesterday. Speaking to the reporters in Brussels, he stated that Turkey's implementation of EU accession reforms should be accelerated. "I believe the Turkish people still want to gain EU membership," he added. Stating that 10 out of 34 of Turkey 's negotiation chapters have been opened so far, he said both the EU and Turkey should do their part to continue the membership process. /Hurriyet/

EMINE ERDOGAN RECEIVES SUPERMODEL CAMPBELL:

Emine Erdogan yesterday received supermodel Naomi Campbell at the Prime Ministry Residence. During the meeting, Campbell asked Erdogan how she could make best use of the earnings, and Erdogan advised that she help establish mobile kindergartens and vocational schools for girls. /Milliyet/

ITALY HONORS TUSIAD HEAD YALCINDAG :

Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's (TUSIAD) Chairwoman Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag on Monday received Italy's Order of the Star of Solidarity at a ceremony at Istanbul's Palazzo di Venezia. Italian Ambassador to Ankara Carlo Marsilli presented the honor to Yalcindag on behalf of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in recognition of her contributions to better relations between the two countries. /Milliyet/