ERDOGAN, BUSH REAFFIRM, STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accompanied by a delegation, including Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, yesterday met with US President George W. Bush in the White House in Washington. During their one-hour plus talks, the two leaders reaffirmed that the two countries’ strategic partnership would continue. Speaking to reporters later, Erdogan said that freedom, democracy, the rule of law, the fight against terrorism, security, and human rights had been taken up at their meeting, and Bush thanked Erdogan for supporting the Greater Middle East Initiative. “Turkey’s democracy is an important example for the people of the broader Middle East... Thank you for your leadership,” Bush said. Later, holding a separate press conference, Erdogan stressed that they had also talked about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the issues of Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey’s interest in US investment. Bush instructed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to work on ways to start direct flights to Turkish Cyprus from the US, added Erdogan. At the White House, the Turkish premier also met with Vice President Dick Cheney, Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist and representatives of the Turkish Friendship Group. In addition, he visited monuments dedicated to US Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Erdogan is expected to have talks with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today in New York on the Cyprus issue. /Hurriyet/
ERDOGAN MEETS WITH WOLFOWITZ
On the second day of his visit to Washington, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a bilateral meeting with former Deputy Defense Secretary and new World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz yesterday. Following the meeting, Wolfowitz told reporters, “I’ve spoken with Erdogan a few times before. He’s an old friend. But back then we had talked about different issues.” Wolfowitz resigned from his old post and officially became the World Bank head last week. He said, “I’m very pleased to hear that the World Bank has good relations with Turkey. In addition, I’m very glad to know that Turkey’s economic reform program has had very good results and continues to bear fruit.” /Sabah/
ERDOGAN SPEAKS TO CNN
Speaking to CNN International, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that Turkish-US relations depend on a strategic partnership of 50 years. He added that particularly their partnership in NATO was very important and that Turkey has been doing its best about logistic support for the US concerning Iraq. Stating that the only problem between the two countries about the Iraq issue was Parliament’s rejection of a motion in March 2003 for US soldiers to use Turkey as a base for an offensive into northern Iraq, Erdogan said, “We couldn’t get enough votes in Parliament. These things happen in a democratic system.” Asked about the headscarf issue, Erdogan said, “Not a single law in Turkey prohibits wearing headscarves. There are only different perceptions and interpretations concerning the issue. We’re acting patiently to avoid raising social tensions.” /Turkiye/
GUL MEETS WITH RICE
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice in Washington. Following their talks, Gul told reporters that the meeting had been very fruitful and that they had the opportunity to review a number of issues, including Cyprus and the continued presence of the terrorist group PKK in northern Iraq. He stated that Rice vowed not to allow any terrorist attack on Turkey through Iraqi territory, adding that Rice had reiterated US support for a settlement on Cyprus led by the UN secretary-general. /Turkiye/
BERLUSCONI URGES BUSH TO SUPPORT TURKEY
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi continued his support for Turkey’s European Union membership bid during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington this week. Italian daily La Repubblica wrote that Berlusconi had telephoned US President George W. Bush the day before and requested his help for Turkey’s full membership to the EU. /Turkiye/
PARLIAMENTARIANS TO VISIT ARMENIA
While a dispute over a recent aborted conference on Armenian issue is still continuing in Turkey, a delegation of four deputies, one from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and three from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), are due to leave for Armenia today to express their views on the genocide allegations at a conference in Yerevan. /Star/
JUDICIAL COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED IN ATHENS
Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, who is currently paying a visit to Greece, yesterday signed a protocol with his Greek counterpart Anastasios Papaliguras on cooperation in the judiciary, the first one in this area. The two ministers stated that they were pleased to see relations between their countries advancing with each passing day, adding that through the protocol they would be able to pool their knowledge and experience. /Turkiye/
VERHEUGEN: “EU MEMBER COUNTRIES SHOULD KEEP THEIR PROMISES”
European Union Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry Guenter Verheugen warned yesterday that if the EU member countries don’t keep the promises they made to Turkey, the reform process in Turkey would be seriously hindered. Verheugen also conceded that the recent French and Dutch rejection of the EU constitution had contributed to criticism of enlargement. He added, “If Europe takes a stance towards Turkey saying in effect, ‘No matter what you do, we will never accept you,’ why would Erdogan and his government continue the reforms? Those who are doing this should be aware of their responsibilities.” /Milliyet/
ANNAN SPEAKS ON CYPRUS ISSUE
One day before his meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated in a semiannual report to the UN Security Council that it wasn’t time to appoint a special representative for the Cyprus issue. In the report, he emphasized that the lack of confidence, military situation and the perception of threat between Turkish and Greek Cypriots were continuing. Therefore, Annan recommended that the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus’ term of duty be extended to Dec. 15. /Milliyet/
KRETSCHMER: “TURKEY’S EU TALKS MIGHT LAST UNTIL 2014”
Speaking at a press conference held by the Trabzon Chamber of Trade and Industry yesterday, European Union Commission Representative to Turkey Hansjoerg Kretschmer said that the process of Turkey’s EU membership negotiations might continue until 2013-14 and that the length of this period depended on Turkey’s speed in implementing reforms. Stating that Turkey is experiencing a historic era concerning its EU bid, Kretschmer said, “Turkey’s EU membership negotiations will start in October. This is the beginning of a new era.” Emphasizing that Turkey has a great opportunity in terms of its bid, he added, “This is difficult but it can be achieved. Turkey should implement reforms towards this end. In addition, the nation should embrace these reforms. Reforms sometimes might not be so popular and some parts of the nation might not be pleased with the changes. However, the important thing is to provide the nation with accurate information.” Milliyet/
IN RUNUP TO EU TALKS, EDUCATION MINISTRY LAUNCHES REFORMS
Education Minister Huseyin Celik announced yesterday that high school education would be extended to four years from three. Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Celik said that before Ankara begins its European Union accession talks on Oct. 3, Turkey should integrate its education system with those of European countries. Students entering high school for the 2005-2006 term will be required to complete four years of schooling to graduate. /Star/
AGAR TO VISIT GERMANY
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar is set to travel to Germany on Saturday to attend the opening of the Turkish Democracy Foundation. His party staff will accompany him during the three-day trip. /Turkiye/
DEMOCRACY AND GLOBAL SECURITY CONFERENCE TO BEGIN IN ISTANBUL TODAY
A “Democracy and Global Security Conference” will begin in Istanbul today. Many scholars, lawyers, and high-ranking security officials from the US, Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Pakistan and Italy will participate in the conference that will continue through this Saturday. During the conference, global terrorism, cooperation against terrorism, international human smuggling, nuclear smuggling, security measures at airports and seaports, world terrorist organizations and their activities, organ smuggling and financial crimes will be discussed. /Aksam/
TURKISH SOCCER TEAM DEFEATS KAZAKHSTAN
In a match yesterday for 2006 World Cup qualification, the Turkish National Soccer Team defeated the Kazakh team 6-0 in Almaty. Turkey thus rose to the second rank in its second group and is scheduled to face Denmark, Ukraine and Albania this fall on the road to participate in a race for the World Cup. /All Papers/