DAVUTOGLU MEETS TOP IRANIAN OFFICIALS TO PUSH FOR DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO IRANIAN NUKE ISSUE
Amid mounting US-led efforts to impose tougher sanctions on Iran for its controversial nuclear program, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday met with top Iranian officials in Tehran in a bid to again push for a diplomatic solution. Davutoglu was received by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and also met with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki, National Security Council Secretary Said Jalili, and Parliament Speaker and former top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani. Speaking at a joint press conference after meeting with Mottaki, Davutoglu underlined the urgent need for a uranium swap deal between Iran and major Western powers, saying this could improve the international atmosphere on the issue. Stressing that Turkey is ready to whatever is needed towards that end, he added, "Through diplomatic efforts, Turkey is trying to forestall possible negative developments that could harm both the region and our countries. We're exchanging views on new alternatives to avert negative possibilities." Declining to elaborate on what he called "new alternatives" to solve the issue, Davutoglu reiterated Turkey's determination to broker a possible exchange of Iran's low-grade uranium stockpile with high-grade uranium provided by Western countries. Stating that Turkey would continue its efforts to cool tensions, Davutoglu said, "Turkey will be the first country (after Iran) to feel the positive or negative effects of developments in Iran. Accordingly, we're working to ensure a solution to this issue that will make seeking tougher sanctions on Iran at the UN Security Council unnecessary." Turkey is currently a temporary member of the council. Davutoglu also said that the two countries have significantly boosted their energy cooperation, including projects in Iran's giant South Pars natural gas field. In 2008 Iran and the Turkish Petroleum International Company (TPAO) signed a $7 billion agreement under which the Turkish side undertook to produce 20.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from South Pars. Last October Iran gave TPAO a one-month deadline to finalize the deal, but extended the deadline by three months. Davutoglu said work was continuing to finalize the deal, brushing aside claims that it would be cancelled. "Turkey sees this agreement as a key element of energy cooperation with Iran," he said. For his part, Mottaki said last year the Turkish-Iranian trade volume hit $11 billion, and has the potential to reach $20 billion in the years to come. Turkey and Iran enjoy good trade ties, Mottaki said, calling for further improvement of economic cooperation between the neighboring countries. /Hurriyet-Turkiye/
EROGLU SET TO BE SWORN IN AS NEW TRNC PRESIDENT ON FRIDAY
After defeating incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat in the weekend presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Dervis Eroglu, currently prime minister, is set to officially take office in a ceremony in Lefkosa on Friday. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is expected to be present at Eroglu's inauguration as the TRNC's third president. Following his victory, Eroglu pledged that he would not walk away from talks to find a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue, pointing to the resumption of negotiations without any preconditions next month with Greek Cypriot administration leader Demetris Christofias. /Turkiye/
MEP FLAUTRE: "THE ISOLATION OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS MUST END IMMEDIATELY"
The European Union must take immediate steps toward ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Co-Chairperson Helene Flautre said on Monday. The French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) discussed the issue of the victimization of Turkish Cypriots by the EU in a statement released on Monday, following Sunday's presidential election in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which saw the victory of hardline challenger Dervis Erodlu. She asked EU leaders to take immediate action to remedy the damage done thus far. "I hope the European leaders have now realized the need to immediately begin a policy of integration on Cyprus so that the Turkish community is socially, politically and culturally integrated" with the EU, Flautre said. /Today's Zaman/
IRAQI KURDISH LEADER INVITES ERDOGAN TO VISIT ERBIL FOR OPENING OF TURKISH-BUILT AIRPORT
Former northern Iraqi administration Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has invited Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Erbil to help open the city's new international airport, built by a Turkish construction company. Barzani, deputy leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), invited Erdogan to Erbil on behalf of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the administration leader (and Nehirvan's uncle) Massoud Barzani, a northern Iraqi weekly reported. Barzani just met with Erdogan in Istanbul, a few days ago. Barzani also said he admires Erdogan's courage. /Today's Zaman/