PRESIDENT GUL MEETS WITH UN'S DOUSTE-BLAZY
President Abdullah Gul yesterday received UN Undersecretary-General Philippe Douste-Blazy in Ankara . The meeting at the Cankaya Presidential Palace took place behind closed doors. /Hurriyet Daily News/

ERDOGAN BEGINS RUSSIA VISIT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday began a two-day visit to Russia as the official guest of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Erdogan was accompanied by his wife Emine, State Minister Zafer Caglayan, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz, Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker, and Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim. Speaking to a group of Turkish businessmen in Russia , Erdogan said, " Turkey is one of 14 countries whose credit ratings improved during the economic crisis. Our economic recovery will speed up. We're on the verge of establishing a high-level inter-governmental council with Russia . The most important part of relations is the energy issue. We expect $100 billion in energy investments in Turkey in 20 years. I hope the visa requirements between our countries are removed." /Hurriyet, Turkiye/

PM ERDOGAN "PROUD" TO BE AWARDED KING FAISAL PRIZE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said he was "proud" to be awarded the received King Faisal Prize for his fair leadership. "I am proud of being awarded the King Faisal Prize, which is given to eminent scholars and statesmen," he said in a statement. "Besides being conferred to me, this prize is a significant contribution to Turkey 's efforts for global peace and dialogue among civilizations. We always defend fundamental rights and freedoms without regard for national identities, ethnicities, languages, religious beliefs or sects, and we will continue to do so." /Hurriyet/

SAHYN: " TURKEY 'S FRIENDSHIP WITH PAKISTAN IS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE WORLD"
Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin yesterday received Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Pakistan 's Punjab state, in Ankara . "The friendship and brotherhood between Turkey and Pakistan set an example to the world, and the Pakistani people have a special place in the heart of the Turkish people," Sahin said. /Turkiye/

FM DAVUTOGLU VISITS BRITAIN
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, currently in Britain , yesterday met with his British counterpart David Miliband. Afterwards, asked about recent developments between Turkey and Israel , Davutoglu told a joint press conference that countries can have different opinions and can criticize each other's policies. "But there are rules of diplomatic courtesy which all states should abide by," he added. "Observing these rules is a necessity of being a state. Transgressing diplomatic rules runs contrary to the ethics of international relations." /Cumhuriyet/

SYRIAN PRESIDENT ASSAD RECEIVES TURKISH DEPUTIES
In Damascus yesterday, Syrian President Bashar Assad received a delegation of visiting Turkish deputies led by Murat Mercan, the head of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. During the meeting, Assad praised Parliament's stance on Iraq and its support for the Palestinians. /Hurriyet Daily News/

ISTANBUL SET FOR WEEKEND CAPITAL OF CULTURE INAUGURAL SHOWS
Preparations for Istanbul's year as a European Capital of Culture (ECOC) have finally concluded, and the Istanbul 2010 ECOC Agency is counting down to the inaugural performances set for this weekend. The inaugural events were introduced at a press conference yesterday at the Ciragan Palace with the participation of agency Chairman Sekib Avdagic, agency Secretary General Yilmaz Kurt, the Spell of Istanbul (Istanbul Buyusu) Artistic Director Yekta Kara, Groupe F Choreographer Christoph Berthonneau, and some of the artists who will perform during the inauguration, including Kyraç, Mercan Dede and Zara. Avdagic said all the ads for the ECOC present Istanbul as a dignified, self-confident city. "The most inspiring city in the world, Istanbul , is ready to share the energy it has with Turkey and with the world through more than 400 special projects that will take place throughout the year," he added. Avdagic said this Saturday, many museums such as the Sakip Sabanci Museum , Istanbul Modern, Asiyan Museum , Sadberk Hanim Museum and Hagia Sophia will be open until midnight. The inauguration will start at seven different places, inspired by the idea of the seven hills of Istanbul . The Halic Congress Center will welcome more than 5,000 guests, including President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as more than 20 foreign ministers. The performances at the inauguration will be seen by public for the first time. One of the inaugural projects, The Spell of Istanbul, includes various branches of the arts, 303 artists and a staff of more than 450. One of the most significant parts of the inauguration will be the special light and fireworks show on the Halic shore, which will be relayed live to six other squares - Taksim, Kadykoy, Pendik, Bagcilar, Beylikduzu and Sultanahmet - as well as across Turkey and other parts of the world. /Today's Zaman/

CAGLAYAN WARNS AGAINST PROTECTIONISM
Foreign Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan yesterday voiced Turkey 's determination to apply free market principles to international trade. Speaking to reporters following a meeting with International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Chairman Victor Fung in Ankara , Caglayan said global trade has gone through restructuring due to the global financial crisis. Terms such as capitalism were redefined as people had to face an even tougher atmosphere of trade competition, he explained. Caglayan said Turkey is firmly against protectionism in global trade, and that this became more apparent after the crisis began. "In a cutthroat environment, some countries and businesses chose protectionism, believing that they would come out of the crisis first," he said. The crisis, in this sense, damaged fair global competition, he argued. Telling how Turkey is one of the 13 economies that enjoyed an upgrade in their credit rating despite the crisis, he said the country is seen as one of the prominent players of the future that will leave their mark on the global economy.. " Turkey is poised to become one of the hubs for healthy free market conditions," he added. For his part, Fung said trade is the driving force behind the global economy, adding that countries should strive to maintain a healthy trade system. He added that Turkey , as a member of the G-20, can contribute to this process. /Today's Zaman/