PRESIDENT GUL HONORS TRIO'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO TURKISH CULTURE
International award-winning film director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, calligraphy and gilding artist Ugur Derman, and Sabanci Holding Chairman Guler Sabanci, representing the Sakip Sabanci Museum (SSM), were honored yesterday at the 2009 President's Culture and Art Grand Awards ceremony at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. President Abdullah Gul bestowed the cinema award upon Cannes festival prize-winner Ceylan, while the award for traditional arts was given to Derman, a professor who has lectured at Marmara and Mimar Sinan universities. The institution award was given to Istanbul's SSM. Speaking at the ceremony, Gul said that the rapidly changing world has seen many developments, particularly in technology and the economy. "But if the only developments mentioned are technological and economic growth, this is a bit dull," he said. "If the artistic, cultural and intellectual aspects of a country are also improving while that country develops, this is a sign that the country in question is truly developing." The award is given to both Turkish and foreign nationals as well as institutions which make important contributions to Turkish art and culture, aiming to honor them in the name of the state and to encourage such contributions. Gul hands out the awards in various branches of culture and art each year, and a committee including such notable figures as columnist Dogan Hizlan and literary historian Iskender Pala suggests the branches and candidates to be recognized. Citing Ceylan's acceptance speech at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival for the Best Director award for "Uc Maymun" (Three Monkeys), in which the director said he dedicated the prize to his "lonely and beautiful country" which he loves passionately, Gül said, "These words moved the entire Turkish nation. . But as a statesman today I can say that our country is no longer lonely. Turkey has many supporters abroad." Gul also praised the Sakip Sabanci Museum for its achievements in private museum management, saying that it has enormously served Turkey's cultural life by bringing world-class exhibits to Istanbul. /Today's Zaman/
ERDOGAN: "TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION WILL MAKE EUROPE BETTER ABLE TO PROMOTE WORLD PEACE"
Turkey's eventual European Union accession will help Europe contribute more to world peace, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday. Speaking at a joint press conference alongside his visiting Belgian counterpart Yves Leterme in Ankara, Erdogan said Turkey's eventual admission to the 27-nation bloc will enable the continent to do more to improve peace, stability, harmony and prosperity around the world. "Turkey has full belief that Belgium will be committed to the principles of pacta sunt servanda and equity during its EU term presidency in the second half of next year, and will make constructive efforts towards this end," Erdogan told reporters. "One of the EU's founding members, Belgium is a country with political and economic influence located at the heart of Europe. Trade between Turkey and Belgium hit _6 billion in 2008." Stating that they had discussed ways to boost bilateral ties in a number of areas, Erdogan added, "Belgium is an important country for Turkey as a NATO ally and EU member, and so Turkey wants to strengthen its relations with this country in every area, particularly keeping the channel of dialogue open to eliminate differences in our stances on the fight against terrorism. We should not forget that terrorism poses a threat to all humanity, wherever it is seen." Erdogan also said Belgium and Turkey reaffirmed the need to maintain a trilateral dialogue mechanism among their respective justice, interior and foreign ministers. For his part, Leterme said that Turkey's EU accession negotiations are open-ended, adding that the country's EU accession process must be streamlined and encouraged. Pointing out that his current trip to Turkey is his first overseas visit as Belgian prime minister, Leterme said that this was no coincidence, as Turkey is a crucial country. "There is an important Turkish community in Belgium. We have been pleased to see this community become integrated with Belgian society," Leterme stressed. On his country's EU presidency in the second half of 2010, he said, "We discussed this topic. Belgium pays great attention to Turkey's candidacy and hopes that the negotiations are concluded successfully. We will focus on Turkey's negotiations during our term presidency." He also said, "I exchanged opinions with my Turkish counterpart Erdogan on security issues.. We believe Turkey can play an important regional role." Asked about his comments before becoming premier on offering Turkey a so-called "privileged partnership" rather than full EU membership, Leterme said that the Belgian government believes the negotiations process should be given a chance and supports Turkey's EU full membership. Earlier in the day, President Abdullah Gul received Leterme at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Erdogan later also hosted a dinner in Leterme's honor at the Prime Ministry residence. /Turkiye/
PM ERDOGAN ADDRESSES NATION, SPEAKING HOPEFULLY OF COMING YEAR
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that 2009 has a special place in the last seven years since his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) came to power. In a televised address to the nation, Erdogan said that Turkey has come a long way towards solving its chronic problems and becoming a more peaceful and prosperous country under AK Party government. "In 2009, when giant world economies were rocked by the global financial crisis, it is clear that Turkey made its way successfully on a firm ground established over the last seven years," he said. "Of course we had some troubles during the crisis. Nevertheless, the Turkish economy didn't suffer the disasters that several giant economies faced." Erdogan said that though the government had revised economic targets, Turkey had not seen irreparable economic devastation. He also expressed his expectations of the coming year. "I see 2010 as a year in which the Turkish people will completely weather the economic crisis, escape its fallout, and have a rising vigor for growth," he said. "According to OECD projections, Turkey will be the second fastest-growing country, after South Korea, among its 30 member states, in 2010. In 2011, Turkey is expected to be the fastest-growing country." He added, "I believe that Turkey, with its dynamism, will leave its mark in the world next year and will also have its name rather frequently mentioned." Citing Turkey's average 5.8 percent growth in 2002-2008, Erdogan said it pulled itself back from the brink of a disaster in 2002 to become the world's 17th-largest economy, rising from number 26. Erdogan said major economic indicators prove this progress. A "realist policy" must be pursued to further improve the economy and promote sustainable growth, he said. The AKP government brought inflation down to single digits, including a lower-than-anticipated 5.5 percent for last month, he added. "However, there was some increase in the unemployment rate due to the global crisis, as it rose to 13.4 percent in September 2009 from 11 percent in 2008," he said. "But it is pleasing to see that upward move has stopped over the last couple of months and that there's even been a slight recovery in employment figures." Erdogan said Turkey's exports should gradually rise as the global recovery is expected to revive foreign demand. Touching on Turkey's EU accession bid, Erdogan called on the EU to treat it fairly. Stressing that Turkey has remained resolved to join the Union despite "unfair treatment," Erdogan added, "We have showed our commitment and sincerity by opening the twelfth policy chapter on the environment in the EU negotiations. And now we expect the same from EU members." Erdogan said Turkey's foreign policy is not one-dimensional, adding that it works to improve relations with all countries of the world. "Our international clout and influence are continuing to grow with each passing day, and our constructive policies to find solutions to global issues are receiving greater appreciation," he said. Erdogan also said he hoped that growing ties between Turkey and Syria would be a good model for the conflict-stricken region. /Sabah-Aksam/
IRAN WARMING TO TURKISH ROLE IN NUKE DISPUTE
Tehran said on Tuesday it is ready to swap its low-enriched uranium for nuclear fuel abroad, noting that Japan, Turkey, Brazil and Kish Island in the Persian Gulf have been proposed as locations for the exchange of fuel, but said nothing is certain yet. Iran is ready for a "fuel swap in several stages and has said that this can be an opportunity for the two sides" to build confidence, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters, while insisting that the exchange should take place in several stages. Asked about these remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Burak Ozugergin said yesterday that Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has been holding talks on the issue with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki as well as with US and other countries' officials on a regular basis. "That is to say, Turkey is completely in the picture, and is in it in a way to shape the details as well," he said. He stressed that Turkey's position on the issue has not been passive but active, and that senior leaders, including President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as Davutoglu, have been "in the picture." Ozugergin also reiterated that Turkey firmly favors dialogue, not military means or sanctions, to resolve the issue. Less than a week ago, Mottaki said Iran is open to exchanging uranium on Turkish soil. "We are not opposed to carrying out the exchange of 400 kilos of uranium with 3.5 purity on Turkish soil or any other soil. But cooperation should be on both sides," he was quoted as saying. /Today's Zaman/
IRAQI VP HOLDS TALKS IN ANKARA
Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdulmahdi held a series of meetings on bilateral and regional issues in Ankara yesterday with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Cooperation to fight terrorism and boost economic relations topped the talks, including a tripartite mechanism between Iraq, the US and Turkey to eliminate the terrorist PKK presence in northern Iraq. The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) also recently won an oil tender in Iraq as a part of an international consortium led by Russia's Gazprom. As Turkey is interested in more investments in the fields of construction, oil and gas, promising opportunities were discussed by Iraqi and Turkish delegations as part of talks in Ankara. As Iraq approaches general elections next month, ethnic conflicts and the country's fragile security were also discussed. Turkey urged all ethnicities to be involved in politics and participate in the legislative process to shape their country's future, diplomatic sources said. /Hurriyet Daily News/
ISTANBUL TOMORROW ASSUMES EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE CROWN FOR ONE YEAR
As Istanbul will begin to enjoy its one-year title as European Capital of Culture starting tomorrow, the international media and travel magazines have started to give extensive coverage to the city's historic, cultural and natural assets, calling on travel lovers to visit Istanbul. Touting Istanbul's long history as a leading city and capital of legendary civilizations throughout history, Business Traveler magazine said that Istanbul offers travelers countless unique opportunities to relish, adding that Istanbul is expected to draw 10 million visitors in 2010. The magazine said Istanbul became European Capital of Culture ahead of Turkey's European Union accession as a result of the city's rising allure in recent years thanks to its breakthroughs in the areas of fashion and tourism. In related news, Istanbul attracted nearly 7.5 million tourists in 2009, provincial culture and tourism head Ahmet Emre Bilgili said yesterday. The number of tourists visiting the city rose 6 percent in 2009 over last year, he said. "Our goal for 2010 is to attract 9-10 million tourists," he added. Programs carried out by the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency will make the city "a center of attraction," he said. Istanbul is set to host several major events in 2010, like the September concert by rock giant U2. Turkey attracted nearly 26 million tourists in the first 11 months of 2009. From January to November, largely German, Russian and British tourists flocked to Turkey, especially its Mediterranean region. /Turkiye/
LATEST BY DIRECTOR AKIN PREMIERES IN TURKEY
"Soul Kitchen," the latest offering from Turkish-German director Fatih Akin, premiered at Istanbul's Kanyon Movie Theater yesterday and will be in theaters across Turkey as of Friday. Akin, who has won international awards for the comedy, says he would like to try other genres as well. The film, featuring actors Adam Bousdoukos, Pheline Roggan, Anna Bederke and Birol Unel, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the 2009 Venice Film Festival and the Art Cinema Award at the International Hamburg Festival. Speaking to reporters before the screening, Akin said "Soul Kitchen" is the story of a restaurant. "Zinos, who is a third-generation Greek living in Germany, has to decide between going to China with his lover and saving his restaurant," he explained. "But he loses everything while trying to do everything." After Zinos' girlfriend Nadine moves to Shanghai, his customers boycott the new gourmet chef, and he's having back trouble. Things start looking up when the hip crowd embraces his revamped culinary concept, but that doesn't mend Zinos' broken heart. He decides to fly to China for Nadine, leaving the restaurant in the hands of his unreliable ex-con brother. /Hurriyet Daily News/