PRESIDENT GUL VISITS ALBANIA

President Abdullah Gul, currently in Albania, was welcomed by his Albanian counterpart Bamir Topi yesterday with an official ceremony at the presidential palace. During their meeting, Topi thanked Gul for his support for Albania. Afterwards, Gul met with the Ankara representatives of various Turkish dailies and expressed his views on current issues. /Aksam/

PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS SWEDEN

Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin arrived in Sweden yesterday to attend a conference of his European Union member state counterparts. Before leaving for the gathering, Sahin told reporters that with the Treaty of Lisbon going into effect recently, the EU is transforming its corporate body into a single structure, a change that the conference would address. /Hurriyet Daily News/

ERDOGAN: "TURKEY STRIVES NOT ONLY FOR REGIONAL PEACE, BUT ALSO GLOBAL PEACE"

As part of his official visit to Mexico, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday delivered a speech at Mexico`s Matias Romero Institute on "Turkey`s Quest for Global Peace in the New Millennium." Stating that his visit is meant to add momentum to Turkish-Mexican relations, Erdogan expressed hope that it would help create new opportunities for strengthening bilateral trade ties as well. Stressing that enhanced international dialogue and cooperation is an urgent necessity in a world racked by complicated problems and uncertainties, Erdogan said, "Difficult issues such as terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and illegal immigration compel us more than ever to seek international dialogue and solidarity." Citing Turkey`s active roles in such international institutions as the UN, NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as its launching the Alliance of Civilizations initiative to promote peace and security around the globe, Erdogan said that Turkey is continuing to make reforms towards full European Union member. "Turkey`s accession will benefit both Turkey and the Union itself," he added, urging EU leaders to consider Turkey`s strategic importance and the added value that it will bring to the EU as a full member. Erdogan said Turkey`s joining the EU would not only strengthen the Union`s global power but also boost its representation. Erdogan said Turkey`s foreign policy also works to promote peace and stability in neighboring regions such as the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East. "Our constructive and peaceful policy in our region aims not only to secure regional interests but also to contribute to global peace," Erdogan said, adding that Turkey has worked closely with Afghanistan and Pakistan, making significant contributions to these countries on both bilateral and multilateral platforms. Stating that the region around Turkey has always been a focal point of world policy, Erdogan said, "The constructive and peace-building foreign policy Turkey has been pursuing in its region with sensitivity serves not only regional purposes but also helps the cause of global peace." Erdogan also addressed the Mexican Senate. /Turkiye/

SWEDEN`S BILDT: "IF CYPRUS IS PART OF EUROPE, SO TOO IS TURKEY"

Carl Bildt, the foreign minister of outgoing EU Term President Sweden, yesterday gave a geography lesson to those who question Turkey`s European identity. During a meeting of the European Parliament evaluating Sweden`s six-month EU term presidency, which ends on Dec. 31, Bildt cited Turkey among the countries of southeastern European. This drew a rebuke from a Belgian parliamentarian, who claimed that Turkey isn`t in Europe but instead is part of Asia Minor. In response, Bildt asked, "Turkey is located in Asia, but [EU member] Cyprus is in Europe, is that right?" He added, "I thought that Cyprus lies to the east of many parts of Turkey. But I`d better check my map. International organizations call both Turkey and Cyprus part of Europe. I don`t see any problems with using this definition." Bildt also defended Turkey`s policy of fostering relations with neighboring countries, saying it suits Turkey`s identity. "Like any other European country, Turkey can also pursue a foreign policy in line with its history and interests." Bildt voiced support for Turkey`s efforts to improve bilateral ties with Iran, saying, "If these two countries came into conflict with each other in northern Iraq, there would never be peace in Mesopotamia." Bildt`s words came as EU heads of state and government convened in Brussels to discuss Turkey`s refusal to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot vessels, among other issues. EU leaders are expected to renew their call to Turkey to immediately reverse this decision. Turkey refuses to do so due to the EU`s failure to keep its promise to ease the isolation of Turkish Cyprus. /Sabah/

PAKISTAN HONORS TURKISH COMMANDER

Pakistan yesterday decorated Turkish Air Forces Commander Gen. Hasan Aksay with its Order of Distinction Medal. Visiting Islamabad, Aksay met with his Pakistani counterpart Gen. Rao Qamar, as well as Gen. Tariq Majid, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Ashfaq Parvaz Kayani, the chief of army staff of the Pakistan Army. Aksay was also received by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardaria and given the medal. /Hurriyet Daily News/

EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE AGENCY INTRODUCES PROJECTS FOR 2010

As preparations for Istanbul as a 2010 European Capital of Culture draw to a close, the annual program organized by the European Capital of Culture Agency was introduced at a press conference yesterday with the participation of Hayati Yazici, state minister and head of the Istanbul 2010 Coordination Board, and Sekib Avdagic, the chairman of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency. Avdagic laid out the group`s main goals, including reinforcing Istanbul`s cultural substructure; contributing to culture tourism; supporting diversity; encouraging creativity and international cooperation; conveying the historical heritage of Istanbul; protecting the historical structure; organizing international events and festivals such as the International Poetry Festival, Dance Platform and International Ballet Competition; expanding artistic and cultural events to peripheral regions so people who can`t afford to attend such events are able to go; and helping establish Istanbul as a "brand name." /Today`s Zaman/