GUL CALL FOR OPEN, TRANSPARENT DISCUSSION TO SOLVE TURKEY 'S ISSUES
Turkey is moving forward in all directions, West, East, North and South, said President Abdullah Gul yesterday, rebuffing claims that Ankara 's foreign policy is shifting orientation from the West to the East. Speaking at the opening of the headquarters of Institute for International Strategic Research (USAK), reportedly the first think-tank headquarters in Turkey , in Ankara , Gul said, "The important point is what direction Turkey 's values have been developing in. Considering how Turkey is moving forward on such matters as democratic values, the rule of law, respect for human rights, transparency, accountability, gender equality, and Turkey's market economy, the nation's direction is clearer." Stating that Turkey is getting stronger in all areas, Gul stressed that the main factor behind the economy's growing strength is the democratic reforms of recent years. Gul also stressed the importance of think-tanks such as USAK discussing the nation's problems, and added, "If countries don't openly and transparently discuss their issues to solve them, those issues will be passed on as burdens to future generation." He also praised what he called a vibrant discussion of Turkey 's domestic and foreign issues, adding that the results of these discussions would steer Turkey in the right direction. "I believe that Turkey 's fundamentals are very strong, and there is a major consensus on the country's basic constitutional values, which define the Republic of Turkey as a democratic and secular state under the rule of law. I also believe that a very strong Turkey will emerge at the end of this century." In related news, Gul yesterday received former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. During the meeting, Gul compared certain countries' anti-Turkey stance to the Cold War Iron Curtain between West and East Germany . In response, Dietrich pledged his opposition to such a stance. Dietrich, the honorary leader of the Free Democrat Party (FDP), one of the partners of the newly established German coalition government under the leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel, stressed that Turkey 's strategic importance for the EU has risen in recent years. "The EU can become a global power by admitting Turkey , which is a transit country at the crossroads of energy transportation lines," he said. "Everyone sees this truth, as they must." /Turkiye-Hurriyet/
PM ERDOGAN SENDS GOODWILL LETTER TO HIS GREEK COUNTERPART
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan late last week sent a goodwill letter to his Greek counterpart George Papandreou, who also serves as foreign minister. In his letter, Erdogan said that the improvement of bilateral relations within the framework of mutual respect and understanding would have a positive impact on regional peace and stability. He said Ankara is ready to discuss all issues to improve relations with Greece in every area and also conveyed a number of proposals to create new bilateral cooperation opportunities. Erdogan said that Turkey places great importance on boosting its relations with Greece , and stressed that "zero problems with neighboring countries" is a Turkish foreign policy priority. In the letter, Erdogan also expressed hope that Ankara and the newly formed Greek government would step up their ongoing good relations and dialogue. Last month, Papandreou paid his first overseas visit to Turkey as Greece 's new premier, for an informal meeting of foreign ministers of the South-East European Countries Process (SEECP), showing his eagerness to improve bilateral ties with Turkey . In related news, State Minister and Chief negotiator for European Union talks Egemen Bagis is set to leave for Greece today to hold talks with top Greek officials, including Papandreou. /Turkiye-Cumhuriyet/
BRITAIN'S MILIBAND: "WE'LL KEEP OUR PROMISE"
State Minister and chief European Union talks Negotiator Egemen Bagis yesterday met with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband at his office at Istanbul 's Dolmabahce Palace . Afterwards, Bagis told a press conference, " Britain will continue to support Turkey 's EU negotiations. We're extremely happy to get re-confirmation from him on this." For his part, Miliband said that Turkey 's determination on its EU path is very important for the British government. "I know that there are many people who doubt it," he added. "My sense from Britain and Europe indicates that we'll keep our promise. We see the benefit of Turkey 's membership for both Turkey and Europe ." /Sabah/
IN TURKEY-SKEPTIC FRANCE, REHN VOICES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION BID
Addressing the Senate of France, a country known its staunch opposition to Turkey's EU accession bid, with its President Nicolas Sarkozy offering Turkey a "privileged partnership" in lieu of full membership, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn yesterday gave full support to Turkey's EU accession bid. Praising Ankara's initiative to solve the so-called Kurdish or southeastern Anatolia issue by expanding the democratic rights and freedoms of citizens of Kurdish origin, Rehn said Turkey and the EU share common goals on many issues such as ensuring peace in the Middle East, stability in the Caucasus, the security of energy supplies, and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also stressed Turkey's reconciliation efforts with Armenia, which recently resulted in the signing of historic agreements towards normalized bilateral relations. Stating that the EU accession talks with Turkey have entered a difficult time, Rehn also urged Ankara to speed up democratic reform efforts. He also said that the Cyprus issue should be sorted out as soon as possible. /Sabah/
OIC SECRETARY-GENERAL IHSANOGLU VISITS BANGLADESH
Visiting Bangladesh yesterday, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary-General and Turkish scholar Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met with the country's president, Zillur Rahman, and prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. Speaking with Hasina, Ihsanoglu briefed her on progress in the implementation of the OIC's 10-year action program. He thanked Hasina and her government for their commitment to the OIC since Bangladesh joined the bloc in 1974. /Hurriyet Daily News/
TURKISH DEPUTIES HONORED BY ITALY
Italy yesterday decorated two Turkish deputies with state medals of merit in recognition of their contributions to relations between the two countries. Italian Ambassador to Ankara Carlo Marsili presented Nursuna Memecan, who is responsible for putting into practice a cooperation protocol between the Turkish and Italian parliaments, and Zeki Karabayir, chairman of the Turkish-Italian Interparliamentary Friendship group, with the medals. /Hurriyet Daily News/