IN GERMANY, ERDOGAN SLAMS XENOPHOBIA, URGES INTEGRATION
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday slammed "xenophobia" in Germany as he urged Turkish workers there to integrate into German society, but without abandoning their own culture. "We are following xenophobia in some European countries, primarily Germany, with great concern. ... We urge politicians and especially the media ... not to fan it," he told a crowd of Turkish immigrants in the Western German city of Dusseldorf, in a speech aired on Turkish television. "Islamophobia is a much a crime against humanity as anti-Semitism," Erdogan said. "Yes to integration. ... But no to assimilation. ... No one can tear us from our culture," he said. "If they don’t want Turkey in, they should say this openly ... and then we’ll mind our own business and not bother them," Erdogan added. "But there is a lot we can give the European Union, and the EU has a lot to give Turkey. ... We want to work on in solidarity." /Hurriyet Daily News/
PM RULES OUT NATO INTERVENTION IN LIBYA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday firmly ruled out any NATO intervention in the Libyan crisis, while also criticizing European double standards towards developments in North Africa. "What has NATO got to do with Libya? NATO intervention in Libya is out of the question. We’re against such a thing," Erdogan said in Hanover, at a meeting organized by the Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TD-IHK). Last Friday NATO said the bloc won’t intervene in the Libyan crisis, but will continue to monitor the situation closely. Touting Turkey’s principled stance on developments in North Africa, Erdogan slammed European countries for failing to take a similar stance. /Today’s Zaman/
ERDOGAN, MERKEL OPEN CEBIT TECHNOLOGY FAIR
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday opened Cebit, the world’s leading information technology fair, in Hanover. Over 90 Turkish companies are taking part in the fair. "High-tech products make up about 5 percent of Turkey’s exports," said Erdogan in opening remarks. "We’re working to boost this to 20 percent." He added, "Turkey is a country that can make very fast progress in science and technology, adapt itself to innovations, and increase its investment." /Star/
DAVUTOGLU: "ISRAEL IS THE WORLD’S WORST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATOR"
If there was a list of the world’s worst human rights violators, Israel would top the list, said Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday. Speaking to reporters before leaving for a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Davutoglu said that everyone has to believe in the equality of all humanity. Turkey, once monitored for its human rights situation, is now working to improve global human rights standards, he added. Commenting on the US veto last month of a UN Security Council resolution to condemn illegal Israel settlements, Davutoglu said, "If the international community is to contribute to peace in the Middle East, every country must act objectively and consistently." /Cumhuriyet/
IN RESCHEDULED VISIT, CLINTON SET TO SEEK TURKEY’S HELP IN TRANSFORMED MIDEAST
In a rescheduled visit to Turkey late this month, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will reportedly seek Ankara’s help in guiding the future of Middle Eastern countries recently swept by revolution. Her talks with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu were originally meant to address the Iraninian nuclear issue, but events in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya reportedly changed her plans. Clinton is said to be set to ask Turkey’s help in drafting new constitutions and organizing elections in democratized countries. /Aksam/
WITH EVACUATIONS COMPLETED, ANKARA STARTS SENDING AID TO LIBYA
There are no more Turkish citizens awaiting evacuation at airports in Tripoli or Benghazi, said Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday. Speaking at a press conference at Ankara Esenboga Airport before flying to Geneva for a UN Human Rights Council meeting, Davutoglu said Turkey had evacuated nearly 18,000 people from Libya, including 577 foreign citizens. "We’re not leaving Libya," he added. "We’re only taking security measures," Davutoglu said Turkey is now ready for the second stage of its Libya operation, which will involve bringing food and medical supplies to civilians. /Star/
TURKEY TO EXPORT TRAIN LOCOMOTIVES CO-PRODUCED WITH GE
Turkey’s Locomotive and Engine Industry Corporation (TULOMSAS) and the US-based General Electric (GE) Transportation yesterday introduced a new high-tech locomotive manufactured in Eskisehir. The PowerHaul series locomotives, co-produced by TULOMSAS and GE, are driven by 16-cylinder engines and are GE’s most technologically advanced locomotive engine to date. "The PowerHaul locomotive will serve railway customers in this region. It will also increase employment and infrastructure in Turkey," Lorenzo Simonelli, the CEO of GE Transportation, told the Anatolia news agency. GE hopes to reach the North African and Middle Eastern locomotive markets via Turkey. /Today’s Zaman/
TURKEY TO BE GUEST OF TOP GERMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, one of the world’s top classical music festivals, this summer will feature the slogan "Welcome Turkey." Over 130 concerts will be performed as part of the 26th annual festival, held from July 9 to Aug. 28, supported by the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry, and the International Istanbul Film Festival. /Hurriyet Daily News/