GUL CALLS ON KUWAITI ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST IN TURKEY
Addressing a meeting of the Turkey-Kuwait Business Forum held by the Kuwaiti Chamber of Industry and Commerce yesterday, President Abdullah Gul, on an official visit to the oil-rich country, called on its entrepreneurs to invest in Turkey. Stressing that there is a great business potential between the two countries and room for more cooperation in all areas, Gul said Kuwaiti investors should send their money to countries with low-risk profiles. He said Turkey is ripe for investments, with a great potential for economic growth and minimal risks, thanks to reforms enacted in recent years. Citing Kuwaiti plans to make spend $160 billion on infrastructure over the next five years, Gul said this presents a great opportunity for Turkish entrepreneurs. Also speaking at the forum, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu said last year's bilateral trade volume of $500 million fell short of its potential. Touting the real estate, logistics and tourism opportunities Turkey provides for foreign investors, he added that Turkish businesspeople could make infrastructure investments in Kuwait. Together with Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, Gul yesterday also attended celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Kuwait Oil Company. During the ceremony, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Ahmad al-Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Kuwait Oil Company Chairman and Managing Director Sami Fahad Al-Rushaid delivered speeches on the firm's present and future. Gul later attended a dinner in his honor hosted by Kuwaiti Prime Minister Nasir Al-Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah. /Star/
ERDOGAN STARTS HIGH-PROFILE VISIT TO SYRIA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived late yesterday in the Syrian capital Damascus for a two-day official visit. During his visit, Erdogan is set to attend the first prime ministerial meeting of the Turkey-Syria High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. He will also meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad and Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Utri. Several agreements will be signed on water, health, transportation, industry, foreign policy and higher education during the visit. Along with his wife Emine, Premier Erdogan is being accompanied by a number of Cabinet ministers, including Interior Minister Besir Atalay and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and a large business delegation. At a press conference prior to his departure, asked whether the situation in Camp Makhmour, a terrorist PKK base in northern Iraq, would be discussed during his visit, Erdogan said issues related to Turkey's national unity process, as well as developments on the government's democratic initiative and the diplomatic aspect of issues, would be discussed. Commenting on Israel being cool to possible Turkish mediation in the Middle East, Erdogan said Turkey was ready to undertake such a duty directly or indirectly if asked. "Turkey is ready to make all efforts for peace in the Middle East, because peace in this region means peace in the world," he added. Erdogan also said that Assad trusts Turkey and believes in its mediation efforts. "Turkey always supports peace and it is ready to assume any duty if asked," he explained. In related news, Syrian and Turkish officials yesterday opened a new railway border crossing and border gate between the countries, hours before Erdogan's visit began. Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim and his Syrian counterpart Yarob Badr attended the ceremony inaugurating the Cobankoy border gate in Kilis, Turkey. In a gesture, Assad and his wife Asma paid a visit to the Erdogans at their hotel last night. /Turkiye/
DAVUTOGLU URGES RESTRAINT ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR ISSUE
Speaking to reporters en route to Turkey from a meeting between Turkey and the European Union in Brussels, where negotiations began on the environment chapter as part of Turkey's EU accession process, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu urged the major Western powers to avoid a confrontation with Iran over its nuclear program, adding that diplomatic efforts to solve the issue should continue even if their success appears unlikely. "Even one percent probability is not low in diplomacy," he said. "The point is to make the right offer at the right time. Escalating tension on this issue will mean a loss for everyone." He added, "Stability in the Middle East would benefit Turkey, but if tension in the region flares up, then Turkey will suffer great losses." Davutoglu also said both sides should stop raising tension with heated rhetoric. "One side says all options, including a military attack, are on the table against Iran, while the other side, Iran, tests missiles to show it won't be deterred by military threats," he said. "The Middle East should not be the scene of such tension." Davutoglu said Ankara would push to have regular contact with senior Iranian officials in order to find a way to resolve the dispute through diplomatic means. "In the past, whenever there has been tension we have always lost," he explained. "We were negatively influenced when sanctions were imposed on Iraq. Our efforts are aimed at preventing such negative developments; they are not any reflection of our ambition for mediation, as some have perceived." Davutoglu also said that the Iranian nuclear issue isn't a NATO matter, adding that NATO shouldn't get involved in a "new Cold War" or define itself according to a bipolar world. Turkey has taken steps in recent years to improve its ties with neighboring Iran, stuck in an escalating standoff with the West over its nuclear program. Ankara says it is opposed to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, but also dismisses Western calls for sanctions or military measures against Iran. /Aksam-Today's Zaman/
SWEDEN'S BILDT: "WE MUST LOOK STRATEGICALLY AT TURKEY'S EU BID"
Speaking to Spanish daily El Pais, EU Term President Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country will hand over the EU helm to Spain next week, said, "Turkey must substantial reforms in line with its EU accession bid, but the EU itself must also have a vision supported by a strategic and political leadership approach on Turkey. I'm optimistic about the future." Reiterating his country's support for Turkey's EU accession process, Bildt said baseless fears about Turkey and Muslims in general among the European public should be addressed. "We will continue to live with the heritage of Islamic culture," he said. "We must show that the EU can overcome cliches and prejudices about Muslims coming from the past. Achieving this carries great importance for the future of the Union." /Star/
'1001 ISTANBULS IN MY BINOCULARS' BEGINS
A new project in Istanbul is working to show that anyone can be a director. Spearheaded by filmmaker Isil Ozgenturk, "1001 Istanbuls in My Binoculars" aims to create a 90-minute movie on the city by combining 10 short films by both professional and amateur directors. Supported by the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, the project was launched at a press conference on Monday. Director and scriptwriter Ozgenturk told reporters the project has been in the works for years, with the slogan "Anyone can make a movie." As part of the project, both amateurs and professionals will shoot 10 short films featuring Istanbul; later, a 90-minute anthology of the shorts will be produced. Noting that Pecs, Hungary and Essen, Germany are sharing the 2010 European Capital of Culture title with Istanbul, Ozgenturk said one of the 10 films was made by Hungarian director Gabor Ferenczi while another would be made by a German director. The final 90-minute film will be dedicated to Turkish director Zeki Okten, who died this past week, she added. Along with the two professional directors, the films in the project will be made by students at the Isil Ozgenturk Workshop. After the movie premieres next June at Yeditepe University, it will be shown at coffeehouses, municipal and consular cultural centers, and other venues. /Hurriyet Daily News/