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Turkish Press Review, 97-03-19Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWWEDNESDAY MARCH 19, 1997Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] MORE EUROPEAN SUPPORT FOR TURKEYGreece continues to show more support for Turkey's full membership in the European Union (EU). Yesterday Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos spoke out against the attitudes against Turkey that now seem to be prevailing in the EU.Saying that Turkey should have a place in Europe, Pangalos went on to say that it was unacceptable that the EU should think that Turkey lacked the cultural background needed to be considered as a European country. "This is something that we reject" declared Pangalos speaking at a Balkan countries economic conference. He did however, suggest that differences between Turkey and Greece should be arbitrated by the Hague rather than be dealt with through direct dialogue as proposed by Turkey. Over in Paris, ministers there have again confirmed that Paris wants to see Turkey in the EU as a fully accepted member. France has promised to Turkey that it fully supports Ankara's efforts to join the EU. "Turkey has a European vocation which was recognized back in 1963" noted French ministers talking about relations between Turkey and the EU. French ministers have also declared that Turkey should be included in the EU "family album" photograph that has been a point of contention for some time. Other EU member countries have disagreed on this creating even more dissent in the ranks of the EU member countries. /All papers/ [02] BRUSSELS SEEKING TO EASE SITUATIONIn a move designed to help erase the tensions created by the EU Christian Democrat parties, Brussels has taken steps to make clear that Turkey will not be treated any differently to other countries also lined up for membership.Brussels representatives have again confirmed that the same criteria will be applied in all cases coming up for review by the EU Council of Ministers. /Cumhuriyet/ [03] TURKEY-HUNGARY COOPERATION AGREEMENTTurkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Onur Oymen and Sugyi Somogyi, his Hungarian counterpart yesterday signed a new cooperation and friendship protocol on behalf of their respective countries.The protocol was signed in Ankara, where both sides also discussed conditions for membership in the EU and other regional matters, reports the Anatolia news agency. [04] TURKISH SUCCESS IN KAZAKHSTANThe giant Turkish Netas telecommunications company has completed another big communications network in Kazakhstan. The network, which includes a big digital exchange, radio links and fibre optics technology was brought into operation on Monday.At the opening ceremony, officials and Netas representatives said that the new system was another step forward in the complete rebuilding of the Kazakh communications network. [05] ISRAEL FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS TURKEYIsraeli Foreign Minister David Levy will pay an official visit to Turkey on April 8-9. Next month, National Defence Minister Turhan Tayan is expected to visit Israel, and his Israeli counterpart is scheduled to arrive in Turkey. Within this framework, observers describe the next month as a period of the most intensive contacts in Turco-Israeli relations. /Milliyet/[06] WESTERN THRACE ISSUE AT THE EUROPEAN COUNCILA draft on human rights violations in Western Thrace prepared by 10 members of the European Parliament has been submitted to the European Council Parliamentarian Assembly. In the draft, Greece is being fiercely criticized for discriminating against the 150 thousand Turks living in the region. /Hurriyet/[07] EUROPEAN INVESTORS GRADE POSITIVELY TURKEYAt a conference on investment opportunities in southeastern Europe and the Balkans, Turkey has been evaluated as a stable and safe country offering wide investment opportunities. During the conference, organized by the Regent Pacific financial institution, Turkey's importance as a bridge between Asia and Europe was stressed. /Sabah/[08] BUSINESSMEN READY TO MEDIATE IN SETTLEMENT OF TURCO-GREEK DISAGREEMENTSIn a statement to the Eksusia newspaper published in Greece Turkish businessman Rahmi Koc said he was ready to mediate between Turkey and Greece for the holding of a summit meeting of the Turkish and Greek prime ministers. Koc noted that business circles in Turkey would exert pressure on the government to extend an official invitation for a visit to Turkey to Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. Referring to the sensitivity of the issue, Koc noted however that the Greek prime minister had to acknowledge in advance that he was ready to accept an eventual invitation. /Hurriyet/END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |