GUL, MUBARAK PLEDGE TO CONTINUE TURKISH-EGYPTIAN COOPERATION ON PALESTINIAN ISSUE
The Palestinian issue is one of the top priorities for both Turkey and Egypt, President Abdullah Gul said yesterday, adding that they have been cooperating closely to solve it. Speaking at a joint press conference after meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak at the Cankaya Presidental Palace in Ankara, Gul said Mubarak's two visits to Turkey this year show the strength of bilateral relations and the importance the two major regional powers place on further improving their ties through strong cooperation on regional issues. "I'm confident that the level of our relations and the high level of our cooperation in the region is an impressive picture," Gul said, adding that the two countries share similar views on political issues. Gul said he welcomes the rapid development of trade and economic ties between the two countries, adding that a free trade agreement has boosted the bilateral trade volume to $3 billion. "Turkey and Egypt are two important countries of the Mediterranean as well as of the Islamic world," he said. "Today, we discussed specifically the Middle East peace process. We've been very closely watching Egypt's extensive efforts to support it. We agreed that our cooperation on the Middle East issue will continue." For his part, Mubarak called Turkey one of the most significant powers in the Middle East and praised its hard work to promote peace and stability, adding that during their meeting they stressed strong bilateral cooperation. Underlining that they also discussed the importance of reaching a consensus among rival Palestinian groups, Mubarak said that they exchanged views on an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, as well as reaching a just and comprehensive peace. Mubarak said Turkey plays a large role in the Alliance of Civilizations Initiative. He also invited Gul to an event in Egypt about the Library of Alexandria set for March. Mubarak said that they also spoke about boosting trade, investments and projects between Turkey and Egypt. Praising Turkey's efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue, Mubarak said Israel's stance on the West Bank and continuation of its blockade of Gaza jeopardize the peace process. He added that they discussed bilateral relations, regional issues, developments in the Middle East, Iraq, Yemen and the Gulf region, as well as Iran's controversial nuclear program. Gul also hosted a luncheon for Mubarak, and the two leaders co-chaired a meeting between Turkish and Egyptian delegations. Mubarak also met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. /Turkiye-Star/
ERDOGAN: "TURKEY AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ENJOY EXCELLENT TIES"
There can be no talk of permanent stability in Europe before stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina is restored, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. Speaking at a joint news conference with Bosnia and Herzegovina Prime Minister Nikola Spiric, Erdogan described political relations between the two countries as excellent. Erdogan said the driving force in relations stems from very close ties between the peoples of the two countries, adding that their economic and trade are gradually improving. Erdogan expressed satisfaction at both countries' resolve to boost economic, political and trade relations. "Fostering economic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina is among our countries' top priorities," he said. "At the end of 2008 trade stood at $600 million. We will try to boost this. We also both underlined the importance of reciprocal investments. We discussed matters related to cultural cooperation." He added, "I stressed that Turkey would have dialogue and solidarity with each of the co-founders in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Turkey will also continue its determination for it to join NATO." For his part, Spiric, whose country is facing difficulties over tensions among different ethnic communities and power-sharing issues, highlighted the importance of political dialogue in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "We can't find a solution if we turn our backs on each other," he said. It's a mistake for politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina to expect solutions from outside, instead of solving their problems on their own, Spiric said. He also said he discussed bilateral relations and regional cooperation with Erdogan. Spiric said that Turkey had always helped his country, and Bosnia and Herzegovina had asked for Turkey's assistance to boost its relations with neighboring countries. Earlier in the day, President Abdullah Gul received Spiric, who later attended a working lunch at the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Economics and Technology University. He also attended a dinner in his honor hosted by Erdogan. /Turkiye/
DAVUTOGLU EXPRESSES TURKEY'S EAGERNESS FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
Turkey seeks not only economic cooperation but economic integration with Arab countries, especially Syria, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said yesterday. Speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers of the Turkish-Arabic Forum in Damascus, Davutoglu said Turkey has strong cooperation mechanisms with Arab countries. "Turkey is also striving to boost its ties with North African and sub-Saharan African countries," he said. "We decided to inaugurate 10 new Turkish embassies in those regions. We will improve relations with countries of the African continent represented in the Arab League." Davutoglu also said Turkey supports a solution to the Cyprus issue under UN parameters, and called on Arab countries to improve cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Touching on the Palestinian issue, Davutoglu said Turkey sees this problem as one of its own, urging a compromise among rival Palestinian groups. Expressing Turkey's determination to continue to develop its ties with Arab countries, Davutoglu said Turkey's relations with the European Union and Arab countries don't compete with each other. Also speaking at the meeting, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem praised Turkey's efforts to solve the Arab-Israeli problem. Muallem said Turkey is trying to boost relations with both Syria and Iraq in every area, adding that Turkey's position on Israel's Gaza offensive and its mediating role in indirect Syrian-Israeli talks are important for the region. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said the meeting was very fruitful, adding that representatives of participating countries Syria, Iraq, Libya, Qatar, Sudan and Somalia want to boost their ties with Turkey. Moussa said workshops would be held in various areas and that Turkey would host workshops on culture and science. Moussa said at a meeting in Cairo in January that an action plan would be drawn up to boost Turkish-Arab relations. He also said a Turkish-Arab Forum would be held in June. /Sabah/
ERDOGAN VOWS TO PUSH ON WITH DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will press on with its democratic initiative and not allow "terrorism, supporters of terrorism, (and) bloodsuckers who feed on bloodshed" to thwart its plans, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday. Speaking during budget debates in Parliament, he rebuffed opposition party criticism of the initiative, which he swore to see through. He said the AK Party remains hopeful about the initiative, which seeks to end separatist violence by expanding the rights of Turkey's Kurds. "When we began this journey, we knew what kind of obstacles, provocation and harassment we would face," he said. Those who profit from the "terror market" are doing all they can to stall the process, he said. "Let me again reiterate this: The status quo cannot stay in place," he said. "We can no longer knowingly send any more young people to their deaths. We can't tolerate more families being torn apart. We won't allow terror, supporters of terrorism, bloodsuckers who feed on bloodshed caused by terror, and vampires to fulfill their plans." He said their solution is to fight terrorism and push for more democracy. "What we say is initiative, unity, and fellowship, and we say this in a voice louder than ever," he explained. Erdogan said there are many "interest groups" opposed to the initiative, including those who profit financially from the drug trade of the terrorist PKK or benefit from the blood spilled in clashes. "Of course this process won't be easy," he said. "Those whose lifelines have been cut off will try to block this process like a wall. Those who have lost their easy money will certainly resort to all kinds of provocation and aggravations. But this nation has the power and will to spoil their game. My people are aware of these games being played. The nation knows who stands where and why they stands there. My people won't fall into this trap. . We will complete this process with God's grace and the support and prayers of our nation." /Today's Zaman/
TURKEY TO PRESENT NATL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY AT COPENHAGEN CONFERENCE
In the wake of signing the Kyoto Protocol earlier this year, Turkey designed a strategy of short-, medium- and long-term goals to cope with the impact of climate change and global warming. President Abdullah Gul, along with Environment Minister Veysel Eroglu, plans to share Turkey's climate change strategy at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen tomorrow and Friday. The project, whose theme is "Turkey is part of the solution," is aimed at reducing emissions through eco-friendly measures for industry and transportation. As renewable energy sources are championed, power plants will not be permitted to exceed 7 percent of gas emissions in 2020, under the long-term plan. The government plans to extend the railway network and encourage people to use eco-friendly cars or bicycles to commute in cities. The recycling of waste materials and reforestation efforts are also planned. Eroglu earlier said industrialized countries such as the US have a historic responsibility for the existing problems related to climate change. Turkey has not set a specific goal to reduce gas emissions, instead drawing a road map of what to do through 2010. Turkey isn't obliged to make specific reduction goals because it is not a part of the annex-B list of the Kyoto Protocol, Eroglu said. "However, we hope to prevent 181.4 million tons of gas emissions through 2020 thanks to those measures," he added. /Hurriyet Daily News/
PM SEEKS TO PROMOTE MORE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked the Cabinet, bureaucrats, universities and public and private companies to work to promote and favor scientists who are involved in research and development activities. Speaking in Ankara yesterday at the Supreme Board of Science and Technology (BTYK), operating under the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBİTAK), Erdogan said Turkey has rapidly been advancing toward reaching targets set out to earn the country a sense of innovation and development. Erdogan pointed to the ease with which scientists involved in R&D can apply and receive Turkish citizenship. He said total R&D expenditures had tripleD from just TL 2.3 billion in 2002 to TL 6.9 billion in 2008. The number of full-time personnel working specifically in R&D in 2002 was 27,000, and the government's goal of boosting this number to 40,000 in 2010 was actually reached in 2006, he said. Currently, Erdogan added, there are 67,000 full-time R&D personnel in Turkey, a number that is likely to rise to 150,000 by 2013. Erdogan also applauded the rising contributions of the private sector to total R&D. /Today's Zaman/