GUL CALLS FOR MORE DEMOCRACY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FACING TURKEY
On a visit to his hometown in the central Anatolian province of Kayseri, President Abdullah Gul yesterday met with industrialists operating in the city's industrial zone. Speaking to reporters there, Gul said that Turkey can solve its all problems by acting of its own initiative. Gul said once the country's democratic standards are enhanced, the problems facing the country will be automatically resolved. "What's important is to strengthen every citizen belonging to the Turkish Republic, and make all citizens across the Republic of Turkey pleased to live in Turkey," he said. Gul's remarks came amid a government plan to take sweeping civilian measures to solve the longstanding southeastern Anatolia or Kurdish issue. Everyone living in Turkey is an equal citizen of the Republic of Turkey without any discrimination, Gul said. The Constitution is very clear on this, he added, arguing that when our differences are seen as a rich resource, then Turkey will grow stronger. Turning to economic matters, Gul said improved economic and trade ties between Turkey and the US are one the most important dimensions of bilateral relations. Stating that Turkish-US ties aren't only military and political, Gul said that unfortunately in past years the economic dimension of relations has not been developed enough. Saying that he discussed the issue with US President Barack Obama when he visited Turkey earlier this year, confirming both countries' desire to improve bilateral trade ties, Gul said that a special committee was set up to this end. On last weekend's elections in northern Iraq, Gul expressed hope that they would help bring peace and order to the region. Gul said that peace in northern of Iraq would contribute to the unity and integrity of the entire country. "There are many important issues in Iraq, including the oil law and the status of provinces, and I hope they will solve them in peace," he said. Gul said that the more Turkey's neighbor solves its problems and the more peaceful it is, the more economic and political cooperation it will have with Turkey. He also said this would also be in the best interest of the region. The elections were held for the new head of the northern Iraqi regional administration and members of the regional parliament. According to unofficial results, Massoud Barzani retained his post and was elected as the leader of the regional administration with about 70 percent of the vote. With these elections, the leadership of the regional administration was determined by popular vote for the first time. Also opposition parties gained strength despite the ongoing clear majority of the ruling parties in the regional parliament. /Sabah-Hurriyet/
FM DAVUTOGLU HOLDS TALKS IN ROZAJE, MONTENEGRO
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visited Montenegro and held talks in Rozaje in the Sandzak region on Sunday. Meeting with Rozaje Mayor Nusret Kalac, Davutoglu said, "We share a common history with residents of this region. Turkey will do whatever it can to improve and preserve Sandzak." Davutoglu also met with Montenegrin Parliament Speaker Ranko Krikopavic and State Minister Rafet Husovic on Saturday. /Hurriyet Daily News/
BAGIS: "EU REFORMS ARE FOR TURKEY'S BENEFIT"
State Minister and chief negotiator for European Union talks Egemen Bagis yesterday said that the government is enacting reforms for the sake of the Turkish people, not to make the EU happy. He added that Turkey has managed to start a significant pipeline project to carry Caspian and Central Asian natural gas to Europe. "Nabucco is the world's most comprehensive natural gas pipeline project, which assures that gas will flow for peace from now on," he said. /Hurriyet Daily News/
MEDIA DELEGATION VISITS UIGHUR REGION
An eight-member media delegation yesterday went to Urumchi, the capital of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, to speak with officials on recent developments there. The delegation included representatives of the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK), Directorate General of Press and Information (BYEGM), state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), the Turkish Journalists' Society, and the Anatolia news agency. The delegation met with Urumchi Mayor Jerla Isamudin, who told them the recent violence would not stop the region's development and that the Xinjiang administration is determined to maintain public order. Afterwards, the delegation visited a city square where riots took place and a hospital where injured people were taken after the violence. /Turkiye/