ERDOGAN ADDRESSES EU CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL, DENIES SLOWDOWN IN ACCESSION EFFORTS
Speaking at a conference yesterday organized by the Economist magazine on Turkey’s European Union membership, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan denied claims that recently Turkey had lost momentum in its efforts to join the EU following the Union’s summit last December, adding that not Ankara but the EU had slowed down concerning Turkey’s EU membership bid. “Any delay is from the EU, not from Turkey,” he said. The premier touted his Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) EU reforms, calling them a “silent revolution.” Touching on the so-called Armenian genocide, Erdogan called for politicians and historians to research the issue. “We’re ready to face up to our history, but others also need to face their histories,” said Erdogan. “We’re opening our archives, but Armenia should also open its archives. Everybody should reveal the facts.” Erdogan stressed that no state has the right to cast a shadow over another country’s past through lobbying. The premier stated that secular, democratic Turkey was a model country in its region. Later, Erdogan met with his Australian counterpart John Howard to discuss bilateral relations. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY-EU PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL CONVENES
The 44th Turkey-European Union Partnership Council meeting was held yesterday in Luxembourg. After the talks, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul representing Turkey, EU Term President Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn held a joint press conference. Speaking to reporters, Gul said that at the meeting, they had reviewed Turkey’s reforms to be implemented before Oct. 3, when Ankara’s EU talks are set to begin. Stressing that Ankara would extend an additional protocol to new EU member countries, including Greek Cyprus, Gul reiterated however that doing so would not mean Turkish recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration. He also urged the EU to keep its promises to the TRNC to end its international isolation. Underlining his government’s determination to continue efforts to fully implement reforms, Gul said that Turkish officials were aware of their shortcomings and were trying to redress them. The Turkish foreign minister added that his government had put priority on fighting human rights violations. In addition, Gul touted Turkey’s recent economic successes. /Turkiye/

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: “WE AGAIN PROPOSE ESTABLISHING NORMAL RELATIONS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS”
Armenian President Robert Kocharian yesterday answered a recent letter from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposing formation of a joint Turkish-Armenian group to study the so-called Armenian genocide allegations. In his letter, Kocharian said, as neighbors, Turkey and Armenia should try to find ways to live peacefully both today and in the future, adding that for these reasons, Armenia was proposing the establishment of normal relations, opening the borders and starting a dialogue between the two countries. “There are neighboring states – specifically in the European continent – whose past was difficult and whose views were at odds,” he said. “However, this did not prevent them from opening their borders, having diplomatic relations, sending representatives to each other’s capitals, and at the same time discussing disputed issues.” Kocharian added that the proposal would not work if it does not deal with both the present and the future, adding that for an efficient dialogue, there was a need to foster a favorable political atmosphere. “Thus, we have proposed and we again propose establishment of normal relations between our countries without preconditions,” he said. “Within that context an intergovernmental commission may be formed to discuss any issue or issues existing between our countries with the aim of solving them and coming to a mutual understanding.” /Aksam/

PARLIAMENT APPROVES AKP DEPUTY’S RESIGNATION
Parliament yesterday approved Justice and Development Party (AKP) Agri Deputy Cemal Kaya’s resignation. Kaya last week resigned as a deputy to face corruption charges, but needed parliamentary approval for it to be official. Kaya criticized opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal’s efforts to “blacken his name,” saying that he would defend his honor in court like any ordinary civilian. “I resigned in order to prove my innocence and to protect my name and rights,” he said. Kaya further denied CHP claims that he had quit the opposition and joined the AKP in order to inappropriately receive state tenders. /Milliyet/

BAYKAL: “SAYING WE’LL OPEN OUR ARCHIVES TO LOOK INTO THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISN’T ENOUGH”
Addressing his party’s group meeting yesterday, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal evaluated recent developments on the so-called Armenian genocide issue, and criticized the government’s stance, saying, “Saying we’ll open up our archives isn’t enough. We should also consider the political dimension.” /Sabah/

PARLIAMENT APPROVES BILL FOR HIRING 10,000 NEW POLICE OFFICERS
Parliament yesterday approved a bill under which the Directorate General of Security would hire 10,000 new police officers. The bill enables four-year university graduates to join the police force. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had earlier sent the bill back to the Parliament, saying that some of its provisions were not in accordance with the Constitution. /Sabah/

KEMAL DERVIS NAMED HEAD OF UN AGENCY
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric yesterday announced the appointment of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Kemal Dervis to the post of UN Development Program (UNDP) head. If confirmed by the general Assmbly, Dervis will serve the post for four years. Dervis is a former state economy minister and World Bank official. /Star/

NEW TRNC GOVT ESTABLISHED
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday approved the third Republican Turkish Party (CTP)-Democrat Party (DP) coalition government established by Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer. In the new Cabinet, the CTP has 10 ministries besides the prime ministry, and the DP has three. DP leader Serdar Denktas will continue to serve as deputy premier and foreign minister in the new coalition. /Turkiye/

US TO MODERNIZE TURKEY’S F-16 FLEET
Turkey has submitted a project to modernize its F-16 fleet to the US. A preliminary agreement on the project was signed yesterday in Ankara by Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and US Ambassador to Ankara Eric Edelman. At a joint press conference, Gonul said that under the $1.1 billion agreement, 117 Turkish Air Force F-16 warplanes would be upgraded by the US through 2012. /Hurriyet/

MARMARIS INTERNATIONAL MARITIME FESTIVAL STARTS TODAY
The Marmaris International Maritime Festival will start today. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will attend the opening ceremony. He will arrive in Marmaris aboard a Turkish navy frigate and will be saluted by gunfire and “Man the Rails.” The inaugural ceremony will be followed by the Festival Parade and the openings of the Exhibition Hall and the new Indoor Swimming Pool of Marmaris. There will be a reception for guest sportsmen, other participants and the media at the Club Hotel Pineta. Today’s festivities will also include a public concert at the Marmaris Amphitheatre by famous pop singer Kenan Dogulu. /BYEGM/