PM ERDOGAN MEETS WITH BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT DA SILVA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with Brazilian President Lula da Silva in Brasilia and signed a strategic partnership action plan. According to the plan, the two countries will cooperate on agriculture, defense industry, foreign trade, and on customs formalities. Afterwards, Erdogan told a joint press conference that Turkey's determination continued on Iran's nuclear program to which Turkey and Brazil became a party. "Our determination continues," he said, "We defend our signatures." In related news, Erdogan received a medal of honor from the Federation of Industry for the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP) for his contributions to industry. /Sabah/
DOLMABAHÇE PALACE HOSTS OPENING CEREMONY FOR TURKISH OLYMPIADS
The International Turkish Language Olympiads, a competition held annually since 2003 and currently in its eighth year, kicked off on Wednesday evening with a magnificent opening ceremony at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace. Many prominent figures including Education Minister Nimet Cubukcu, International Turkish Language Olympiads organizing committee chairman Mehmet Saglam participated in the opening ceremony. Speaking at the ceremony, Saglam thanked Turkish businessmen for their continuing financial support for Turkish schools worldwide and teachers who have taught the Turkish language to foreign students studying at Turkish schools. The Olympiads are organized by the International Turkish Education Association (TURKDEDER). A total of 750 students from 120 countries, including Afghanistan, Argentina, Benin, Congo, Ethiopia, France, Italy, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Uganda, will compete in the eighth International Turkish Language Olympiad. /Today's Zaman/
FINANCE MINISTER SIMSEK VISITS KUWAIT
Delivering a speech at the official opening ceremony of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meetings between Turkey and Kuwait, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek yesterday said that Turkey offered excellent opportunities to investors. The agreements to be signed as part of the JEC meetings will strengthen relations between Turkey and Kuwait, Simsek said. "Turkish firms are very involved in the region," he said. "Our contractors are doing an excellent job," he added, "Turkey ranks second after China with her number of contractors in the world. We wish to see Turkish contractors assume projects as part of the 5-year Development Plan of Kuwait. Our contractors can assume large scale projects here." He said, "We are ready to cooperate with Kuwait in all areas. Turkish firms and Kuwaiti investors can complement each other." Simsek also met with Kuwait Investment Authority head Bader Mohammed Al Saad and with his Kuwaiti counterpart Ahmad Rashid al-Haroun. During the meeting they signed an agreement on Mutual Incentive for Investments and their Protection. /Turkiye/
GERMAN ECONOMY MINISTER BRUDERLE IN TURKEY FOR OFFICIAL TALKS
Industry and Trade Minister Nihat Ergun yesterday met with German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Rainer Bruderle. Speaking before the meeting, Ergun said that Bruderle's visit paid a significant role in boosting relations between the two countries. Turkey and Germany have deep-rooted relations in the political, social and economic spheres, he added. /Today's Zaman/