PRESIDENT GUL VISITS TURKISH MARTYRS' MEMORIAL IN SOUTH KOREA
Currently on an official visit to South Korea, President Abdullah Gul yesterday met with the CEOs of several South Korean companies in Seoul and visited the Kaori nuclear energy power station and a Hyundai car factory. Afterwards, he proceeded to Busan, where he visited the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, and there laid a wreath and observed a moment of silence. /Turkiye/
FM DAVUTOGLU MEETS WITH US, BRITISH AND FRENCH AMBASSADORS TO TALK IRAN, FLOTILLA ATTACK ISSUES
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday met with the ambassadors in Ankara of the US, Britain, Germany and France to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue and Israel's deadly attack last month on a Gaza aid flotilla. During the meeting, ways to improve diplomatic processes amid new UN sanctions on Iran were discussed, as well as the need for an independent international investigation into the flotilla attack, which left nine Turkish peace activists dead. /Cumhuriyet/
EP SET TO CONDEMN DEADLY ISRAELI ATTACK ON GAZA AID FLOTILLA
Under a resolution drafted jointly by political groups in the European Parliament, Israel is set to be condemned for its attack last month on a humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza which left nine Turks dead. The resolution, which calls Israel's attack a violation of international law, will be debated today and put to a vote tomorrow. It calls for a prompt international, impartial inquiry into the raid and calls on European countries to support this demand. /Star/
BARZANI: "NORTHERN IRAQ'S RELATIONS WITH TURKEY WILL IMPROVE"
Northern Iraqi regional administration head Massoud Barzani, meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris, yesterday said that he was hopeful about the future of relations with Turkey. "I recently paid a visit to Turkey, which was very helpful for our overcoming past disagreements," he said. "I am hopeful for the future." /Sabah/
SAUDI ARABIA SEEKS TURKISH AUTO INVESTMENTS
Industry and Trade Minister Nihat Ergun yesterday said that Saudi Arabia is looking for Turkish automotive firms to invest in the Saudi bus and truck manufacturing industry. Meeting with Saudi Commerce and Industry Minister Abdullah Zainal Alireza, in Turkey to attend the Second Turkey-World Trade Bridge organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON), in Kocaeli, Ergun said Alireza expressed his country's wish to benefit from Turkey's advanced automotive industry. "We will discuss the issue further with our firms," he said, citing the machine manufacturing industry and the mining sector as other areas that the two countries could cooperate in. There are also lucrative opportunities to take advantage of in agriculture, animal husbandry, and tourism, he said, adding that ministries on both sides will make efforts and businessmen from both countries will be brought together to encourage them to make joint investments. /Today's Zaman/
2013 SET TO BE YEAR OF TURKEY IN CHINA
At a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Cai Wu in Beijing as part an official visit to China, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay yesterday signed an agreement with his Chinese counterpart to proclaim 2012 the "Year of China" in Turkey and 2013 the "Year of Turkey" in China." The two officials sealed the agreement in order to boost cultural relations, which Gunay described as "having deep historical roots." Cai said that Turkey could attract more Chinese tourists by scheduling more direct flights as well as through effective promotional campaigns. Gunay is next set to proceed to Xi'an and then to Shanghai to visit Expo 2010. /Hurriyet Daily News/
IZMIR HOSTING WORLD STARS, TRIBUTES IN ARTS FESTIVAL'S 24th YEAR
The Aegean province of Izmir yesterday launched its annual month-long musical celebration, kick-starting the Izmir International Festival with a gala concert entitled "Four Pianos, One Maestro" at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center (AASSM). Yesterday's concert, featuring an orchestra of four pianos played by four virtuosos - Alexander Ghindin, David Lively, Janis Vakarelis, and Cyprien Katsaris - presented a program of works written for the piano by geniuses ranging from Wagner to Debussy. Running through July 19, this year's festival marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education (IKSEV), which has been organizing the festival for 24 years. A total of 12 events are featured in this year's program, which will be offered in such venues as the historic Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Cesme Castle and Bergama's historic Asklepion Theater, in addition to the AASSM. /Today's Zaman/