GUL MARKS CHRISTMAS DAY
For centuries, mosques, churches and synagogues have lived in Anatolia side by side in harmony, President Abdullah Gul said yesterday. "The lands of Anatolia have played host to many religious beliefs, and brought together people from different cultures and faiths with feelings of friendship, affection and solidarity," Gul said in a message marking Christmas, celebrated on Dec. 25 by Western Christians. "All our citizens are equal and distinguished members of our nation, which pays great attention to principles and values such as peace, tolerance, mutual respect and understanding." Stating that he shares the spirit of joy and friendship represented by Christmas with citizens from various Christian traditions, Gul also wished everyone peace, success, and happiness. /Hurriyet/
ASSAD CALLS FOR RENEWED TURKISH MEDIATION OF SYRIAN-ISRAELI PEACE TALKS
Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday insisted that Turkey should mediate any new talks between his country and Israel, adding that Israel doesn't want Turkish mediation because Ankara is an impartial broker. "Israel opposes Turkey's objective stance. Turkey is objective, and Israel doesn't want this," Assad told a joint press conference with visiting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Damascus. The Syrian leader also charged that Israel is not serious about wanting peace. Peace talks between Israel and Syria collapsed in 2000 over Syrian demands for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau Israel captured in the 1967 war and later annexed. Talks resumed under Turkish mediation last year, but they collapsed after an Israeli offensive in Gaza that killed about 1,400 Palestinians. Israel now says new talks must be direct and begin without conditions. "When Israel says it wants negotiations without conditions, it means it wants negotiations with no foundation," he said. "This is like having a building with no foundation, so it's very easy to be brought down, and they want to bring down the peace process." Assad added that peace will stay out of reach if Israel refuses to discuss withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Assad, reiterating that Damascus wants Turkey as a mediator, said he was not opposed to other countries helping with peace efforts but stressed that this doesn't mean Syria wants to replace an already successful mediator. Assad praised Turkey's efforts to bring peace to the Middle East, saying it is one of the biggest players in peace efforts. For his part, Erdogan said Turkey is ready to resume mediation if Israel also agrees to this. "But we can't force it," he said. "Israel has indicated it wants French mediation. We're happy with statements Assad has made on this; we know he doesn't want French mediation." /Today's Zaman/
DAVUTOGLU, BAGIS DISCUSS TURKEY'S EU BID
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and State Minister and Chief European Union talks Negotiator Egemen Bagis yesterday met at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara to discuss and coordinate Turkey's EU accession process. "EU membership is Turkey's strategic goal," Davutoglu said at the meeting. He said Bagis had also met with other Cabinet ministers to spur their motivation for EU membership. For his part, Bagis said they exchanged views on the EU's rotating presidency, set to be assumed by Spain next week on New Year's Day, and developments expected in 2010. Bagis also underlined the importance of the EU taking steps on its visa procedures for Turkish citizens, as well as Parliament's passage of EU-related laws. Turkey became an EU candidate country in December 1999, and began its accession in 2005. Earlier this week Turkey opened the environment chapter, the 12th of 35 EU negotiating chapters, at an intergovernmental conference in Brussels. To close the chapter, Turkey will have to implement new environmental legislation in line with European standards. So far, only one chapter, the generally uncontroversial category of science and research policy, has been closed. Brussels froze talks with Ankara on eight chapters due to its refusal to open ports to shipping from Greek Cyprus. France has also blocked five chapters on the grounds that opening them would lead to full membership for Turkey. In addition, Greek Cyprus recently warned it would veto talks in six more areas in the future (labor mobility, fundamental rights, the justice system, education, foreign policy and energy). /Hurriyet Daily News/
AT UN SECURITY COUNCIL, TURKEY DECRIES GAZA "TRAGEDY"
At the last UN Security Council meeting of the year on Wednesday, Turkey's Ambassador to the UN Ertugrul Apakan raised the issue of the deplorable humanitarian situation in Gaza. Saying that it has been almost a year since Israel launched its offensive on Gaza, on Dec. 27, 2008, Apakan reiterated Turkey's call for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, which outlines support for sending humanitarian assistance to Gaza and removing the blockade on Gaza to help the region's reconstruction. "We can no longer keep our eyes closed to this humanitarian tragedy," he said. "UN Security Council Resolution 1860 should be fully implemented without any further delay." Turkey joined the 15-nation UN Security Council as a non-permanent member in January and will hold its seat through the end of 2010. Resolution 1860, adopted on Jan. 8, sets out urgent tasks for the international community and calls on UN member states to intensify their efforts to ensure the reopening of crossing points between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, while stressing the need to ensure a "sustained and regular flow of goods and people through Gaza crossings." /Today's Zaman/
TAN APPOINTED TURKEY'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON
Deputy Foreign Undersecretary Namik Tan yesterday was appointed Turkey's new ambassador to the US, succeeding Nabi Sensoy. During his long diplomatic career, Tan has served as Foreign Ministry spokesman and Turkey's Ambassador to Israel. He also recently assumed responsibility for coordinating the Foreign Ministry's public diplomacy efforts, a relatively new concept for Turkey. The ministry this week announced a major plan to use public diplomacy as part of Turkey's proactive foreign policy. /Aksam/
BUSINESS WORLD CAUTIOUSLY HOPEFUL ABOUT TURKISH RECOVERY IN 2010
The Turkish business world is cautiously hopeful about 2010 thanks to improving economic indicators in recent months, seen as initial signs of recovery from the global crisis. Haluk Dincer, a member of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said that he doesn't expect quick growth globally in 2010. "So high growth in Turkey isn't really in the cards," he added. Dincer said he was optimistic about the medium-term program for 2010, adding that Turkey would grow over 5 percent with strong dialogue between the government and the business world. He said the political climate is the chief risk to the economy, urging leaders to work hard to ensure political stability or the whole country would suffer. Dincer said both Turkey and the International Monetary Fund need a bilateral agreement, and expressed hope that one will be reached soon. Tanil Kucuk, chair of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), said industrial production in Turkey shrank 13.1 percent in the first 10 months of 2009, but grew 6.5 percent in October 2009 year-on-year. "This positive development has boosted our morale, but we shouldn't forget that industrial output hasn't gained stability yet," he said. He added that foreign exchange rates should at least be kept at the current level to help exports. He also said recovery would take longer than the 2001 crisis, as it is a global crisis, not just a domestic one. "Our aim from now on will be to stabilize the rise in production, and also ensure positive consumption and investment numbers," he said. "Success in these areas will also help bring down unemployment." In addition, the International Investment Association (YASED) said it doesn't expect a full recovery in international direct investments before 2011. The association forecasts direct capital inflow below $9 billion at the end of 2009, and a bit higher next year. Ibrahim Aybar, chair of the Automotive Distributors' Association (ODD), said nobody should expect a growth in the automotive market unless Turkey sees a rise in economic growth and per capita income. "We may even see a drop in the automotive and commercial vehicle market in 2010 over 2009 if measures to revive the domestic market aren't maintained," he said. Turgay Tanes, head of the Association of Real Estate Investment Companies (GYODER), said he forecasts a limited demand rise with a relative increase in investments next year. Turkey's ready-to-wear industry is another sector that expects positive developments in 2010. /Turkiye/
TURKISH THEATER MOURNS THE LOSS OF ITS GREATEST ACTOR AND TEACHER
Cuneyt Gokcer, one of Turkey's most distinguished and prolific stage actors, died on Wednesday in Ankara. He was 89. Over a career that spanned over half a century, Gökcer brought to life such major characters of the world theater as Oedipus, Hamlet and King Lear, and also headed the Turkish State Theaters, Ankara State Conservatory, Turkish State Opera and Ballet, and Bilkent University's Theater Department.. Among Gokcer's notable stage performances were "Antigone," "Julius Caesar," "Twelfth Night," "Faust" and " Fiddler on the Roof." His prolific acting career also included roles in films. President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay and other top officials, political leaders and thespians expressed grief at Gokcer's death, saying that Turkish theater has lost its greatest actor and teacher. Gökcer was born in Malatya in 1920 and graduated in 1942 from the Ankara State Conservatory's Theater Deportment, where he studied under famous German theater actor and producer Carl Ebert. After working for many years as assistant director in several theater institutions in Germany, Austria, Britain and France, Gokcer was appointed head of the Turkish State Theaters in 1958, taking over from Muhsin Ertugrul, the founder of modern Turkish theater, and ran the institution for 23 years until retiring in 1983. /Today's Zaman/