Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-04-19

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>

19 APRIL 1998

CONTENTS

[01] TURKISH-AUSTRIAN JEC PROTOCOL SIGNED

[02] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''CHRISTIAN WORLD PURSUES A DOUBLE STANDART POLICY CONCERNING CYPRUS QUESTION''

[03] THREE PEOPLE CAPTURED WITH 16 KG HEROIN

[04] PARLIAMENT IS BUSY THIS WEEK - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO MEET BAYKAL, THE LEADER OF CHP ON THURSDAY

[05] TURKISH-CHINESE JEC MEETINGS TO BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 22-23 IN BEIJING

[06] AVALANCHE DESTROYS 75 HOUSES IN NARMAN TOWNSHIP OF ERZURUM PROVINCE

[07] TASAR, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS RETURNS TO TURKEY FROM THE US

[08] FRENCH AIRPLANE SKIDS OFF THE RUNWAY IN ATATURK AIRPORT

[01] TURKISH-AUSTRIAN JEC PROTOCOL SIGNED

State Minister Turk and Hannes Farnleitner, the Austrian Minister of Economy signed the Turkish-Austrian Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Protocol the same day.

Addressing the signature ceremony, Turk stated that the cooperation between firms and institutions should not be limited to the fields foreseen in the Protocol.

Recalling that Austria will become the EU Term President at the second part of this year, Turk added that 150,000 Turkish people live in Austria today and they constitute an important factor concerning the bilateral relations.

Farnleitner, the Austrian Minister of Economy said in his part that Austria focused on joint investment, investment in third countries and cooperation in different fields with Turkey during the JEC meetings, adding that they also listened to the views of Turkey concerning EU.

Responding to a question, Farnleitner said ''Austria waited for 23 years to join EU and became one of the richest countries of the world when she entered in EU. I can say that the Luxembourg decisions will not change its framework. There are many things that have to be done by candidate countries. I do not think the political structure of EU will change, but a milder approach can be shown in negotiations.''

The Turkish-Austrian trade volume, increase of joint investments, improvement of relations in the fields of energy, transportation, health, social security, agriculture, forestry, environment and tourism were taken up during the JEC meetings. The two sides decided to take measures to increase the trade volume, which is 800 million dollars at the moment, to 1, 5-2 billion dollars in 2000s.

[02] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''CHRISTIAN WORLD PURSUES A DOUBLE STANDART POLICY CONCERNING CYPRUS QUESTION''

Addressing a panel titled ''Political Developments in Cyprus,'' held at Inonu University, Denktas stated that the Greek Cypriot side aims to integrate with Greece, but European Union (EU) stays indifferent to this development.

Noting that this means EU is ''two-faced,'' Denktas added that ''EU opposes to the steps TRNC has started to take with Turkey, but stays indifferent to the integration between the Greek Cypriot side and Greece. TRNC is living under embargo in social, political field and in the field of sports. This is against humanity. We can not make peace with the Greek Cypriot side, as long as these emborgoes are not lifted.

Denktas pointed out that the incentives that are granted to Southeastern Turkey will also granted to TRNC due to the economic agreements signed with Turkey.

Noting that TRNC is a region which is convenient for tourism, education and small scale industry, Denktas called Turkish businessmen ot invest in TRNC.

[03] THREE PEOPLE CAPTURED WITH 16 KG HEROIN

Istanbul Narcotic Office said that police seized 16 kg of heroin in secret parts of a car belonging to Bekir Geldi, Niyazi Aydın and Abdulhamit Ibidik who would sell the heroin in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Officials said that the investigation concerning the incident continues.

[04] PARLIAMENT IS BUSY THIS WEEK - PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO MEET BAYKAL, THE LEADER OF CHP ON THURSDAY

Prime Minister Yılmaz and Baykal are expected to plan the parliamentary works till the end of June.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary investigation motion, which was submitted by Meral Aksener and other DYP deputies against Yılmaz claiming that he acquired property in contrary to the laws and moral, will be discussed and voted on Wednesday.

The 42nd meeting of Turkish-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission will also be held in parliament between April 20-22.

[05] TURKISH-CHINESE JEC MEETINGS TO BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 22-23 IN BEIJING

Economic and commercial relations between the two countries will be revised during the meetings, which will be headed by Isın Celebi, the State Minister and Shi Guangsheng, the Chinese Minister of Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Issues like participation in fairs, exhibitions and seminars that will be held in both countries, support of business council's activities, standartization and banking will be taken up during the meetings.

The two countries will sign a memorandum of understanding at the end of the meetings.

A seminar titled ''Investment and Cooperation Possibilities'' will be held in Beijing and Shangai, which will be coordinated by Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade. Turkish officials will explain the economic situation in Turkey, possibilities of foreign investment, energy and construction and Southeastern (GAP) Project during the seminar.

Meanwhile, Isın Celebi will be received by Chinese Prime Minister during his stay in China.

Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade said that Turkey's exports to China were 65,1 million dollars in 1996, 41,6 in 1997, while China sold goods worth of 551,3 million dollars in 1996 and 749,6 million dollars in 1997 to Turkey.

[06] AVALANCHE DESTROYS 75 HOUSES IN NARMAN TOWNSHIP OF ERZURUM PROVINCE

Officials said that there was nobody in Yayla village having 150 houses, when the avalanche destroyed the houses.

[07] TASAR, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS RETURNS TO TURKEY FROM THE US

Tasar wrapped up his official contacts in the US and returned to Turkey the same day.

Addressing a statement at Ataturk Airport, Tasar stated that he had beneficial contacts which will contribute to further improvement of existing good relations with the US in these two fields.

''We aim to attract private sector's interest in agriculture and animal husbandry fields. I informed the US officials about Southeastern Project (GAP) and I have received positive response from the US government and representatives of private sector to our call for cooperation and financial support,'' said Tasar.

[08] FRENCH AIRPLANE SKIDS OFF THE RUNWAY IN ATATURK AIRPORT

The DC-10 plane, which was on its way from Paris to Istanbul, overshot the runway at 13.30 (GMT 10.30) and stopped in mud after drifting about 10 meters off the tarmac. There were 309 passangers in the plane.

Ataturk Airport has been closed due to the incident and it is not still known if there are any casualties or damage to the aircraft.

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