GUL CALLS FOR STRONGER ECONOMIC COOPERATION AMONG OIC MEMBER COUNTRIES
The economic situation of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries was discussed, along with ways to promote their development, in Istanbul over the weekend at a meeting of the OIC's Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC). In his speech to an audience of OIC member country finance and trade ministers, President Abdullah Gul, who chairs COMCEC, urged OIC member countries to act together to overcome global crises. Discussing the overall economic situation of OIC countries, Gul explained how 22 of the world's 49 most underdeveloped countries are OIC members. "One of our primary goals should be bringing down this figure and reducing the ranks of the poor in our member countries," Gul said, calling on Islamic countries to work to establish cooperation and mutual trust to reach overall development. "I believe COMCEC's cooperation programs and especially the OIC's solidarity fund will play an important role in reaching this goal." Gul said new approaches are needed to ensure public welfare around the globe as the world economy rebuilds in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, stressing that OIC member states should help their economies develop in this process. Saying that the share of trade among OIC member countries in their overall foreign trade is about 16 percent, Gul said this is a sign of stronger cooperation among OIC countries. The Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC (PRETAS) will have a critical impact on promoting trade among OIC member countries, Gul said, urging that the protocol be put into effect as soon as possible. He called on member countries to sign similar agreements to promote cooperation within the bloc. Gul also stressed the necessity for cooperation among member countries' stock markets and central banks. In related news, an informal consultation meeting of heads of state of OIC member countries is set to start today at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace. Ahead of the meeting, Gul over the weekend held separate talks with his Iranian, Afghan, Syrian and Kyrgyz counterparts, in Istanbul for the meeting. /Today's Zaman-Turkiye/
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT HONORS TURKISH ENVOY
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over the weekend decorated Turkish Consul General in Jerusalem Ambassador Ercan Ozer with the Jerusalem Star Medal. Receiving Ozer and his wife, Abbas thanked the Turkish diplomat for his work on behalf of Palestinians. /Hurriyet Daily News/
US AMBASSADOR: "WASHINGTON IS GIVING SOME SUPPORT TO ANKARA'S DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE""
Washington is giving some support to Ankara's democratic initiative, which is a Turkish plan, not a US one, US Ambassador to Ankara James Jeffrey said yesterday in a televised interview with Kanal 7. Touching on the idea of a model partnership advanced during US President Barack Obama's visit to Ankara this summer, he said that Turkey and the US share common values and responsibilities, and that in line with the model partnership the countries exchange views and develop common policies on Pakistan and Afghanistan, NATO, the UN Security Council and the Middle East. Asked whether Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are alike, Jeffrey said the two leaders understand each other well and that both are in very responsible positions as leaders of large, important countries. /Cumhuriyet-Star/
ELBARADEI: "IRAN SHOULD STORE ENRICHED URANIUM IN TURKEY"
Iran's enriched uranium could be transferred to Turkey until Tehran is supplied with nuclear gas from Russia, the outgoing head of the Vienna-based United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency said over the weekend. Mohammed ElBaradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who is set to step down later this month, said he proposed Turkey as a third-country destination after Iran rejected a Western proposal that its enriched uranium be sent to Russia for further enrichment to reactor-grade fuel. "It should work," he told US journalist Charlie Rose. "Iran has a lot of trust in Turkey." The Obama administration would agree to this proposal because the US is "very comfortable with Turkey," he said. Adding that he hasn't presented the idea to Ankara, ElBaradei said is confident that Turkish officials will be receptive to holding the material in IAEA custody. Iran would then get fuel for its research reactor in Tehran from Russia. Iran is considering the proposal, he said. In related news, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is now in Istanbul for an informal consultation meeting of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries set to start today. Ahmadinejad over the weekend separately met with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discussed the controversy over Iran's nuclear program as well as bilateral relations, regional problems and matters facing the OIC's Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC). Erdogan late last week visited Iran and will meet with US President Barack Obama in Washington early next month. Erdogan and Obama are expected to discuss a broad range of issues, including Iran's nuclear program. /Today's Zaman-Sabah/
G-20 FINANCE OFFICIALS: "IT'S TOO EARLY TO END STIMULUS"
Finance officials from rich and developing countries meeting in St. Andrews, Scotland on Saturday pledged to maintain emergency support for their economies until recovery is assured, but failed to reach a clear agreement to bear the cost of fighting climate change. There was also a mixed reaction among the Group of 20 leading rich and emerging nations to a British-led push to consider a fund for bank bailouts, possibly financed by a tax on financial transactions, to ensure that taxpayers don't bear the brunt of any future rescues. Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan represented Turkey at the meeting. The G-20 - representing around 90 percent of the world's wealth, 80 percent of world trade and two-thirds of the world's population - said in a statement after the meeting that economic recovery is "uneven and remains dependent on policy support." On climate change, the G-20 officials also said they wanted "an ambitious outcome" at a major UN conference in Copenhagen next month, but did not commit to a funding package to help poorer nations adapt to a warming climate. The officials also emphasized the need for quick implementation of banking industry reform, saying that stronger standards should be developed by the end of 2010 that could be put into force by the end of 2012 as financial conditions improve. The G-20 is made up of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the US, and the term EU president. /Today's Zaman/