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Turkish Press Review, 05-01-12Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr><LINK href="http://www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css/tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> e-mail : newspot@byegm.gov.tr <caption> <_caption> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning12.01.2005FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…CONTENTS
[01] SEZER, GUL SEND CONGRATULATIONS TO ABBASPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul early this week issued congratulatory messages to Mahmoud Abbas, the winner of Sunday’s Palestinian presidential elections, expressing hope that his administration will lead to a new era of peace and stability in the region. “I believe in the near future you’ll play a vital role in steps towards establishing an independent Palestine,” Sezer added. /Turkish Daily News/[02] ERDOGAN, PUTIN CELEBRATE BOOMING ECONOMIC TIESVisiting Prime Minister Recep Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday celebrated booming trade relations between their two countries during talks in Moscow focusing on new energy and military agreements. "I agree with the forecast that bilateral trade volume could reach $15 billion in 2005 and $25 billion in 2007," Putin told a press conference with Erdogan. "Our most optimistic forecasts about economic cooperation have come true.” Accompanied by a delegation of 600 businessmen, Erdogan was paying a return visit to Moscow after Putin late last year became the first Russian leader to visit Turkey in 32 years. Putin said that Russia would back efforts by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. Stating that he would press the international community to speed up its efforts to lift the international blockade on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the Russian leader said, "We do not think that the political isolation of Northern Cypriots is fair.” He said he had spoken to Annan yesterday morning about plans for developing economic cooperation with the TRNC and lifting the blockade. The Russian president also stressed that his country was ready to help Turkey overcome its problems with Armenia, and lends its full support to Turkey’s European Union membership bid. For his part, Erdogan also said that they would discuss the expansion of military-technological cooperation as Putin also confirmed that the two countries had previous plans on the issue. He is expected to attend a meeting of Russian and Turkish businessmen today and inaugurate a Turkish Trade Center in central Moscow. Erdogan also announced that he would pay a visit to Moscow on May 9 to mark the anniversary of Russia’s fight against fascism in World War II, and also the beginning of modern Turkish-Russian relations. /Hurriyet/[03] GUL: “OUR EU BID ISN’T OUR SOLE PRIORITY THIS YEAR”Addressing the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) group meeting yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey’s European Union membership bid wouldn’t be its only priority this year and that other issues were also on the agenda. “Turkey can’t focus solely on its EU bid,” he said, adding that the nation had been transformed in the wake of the historic Dec. 17 EU summit, which greenlit Turkey’s EU negotiations. He further predicted that these talks with the Union would be difficult, stressing that Ankara would pursue an active policy this year to promote peace, stability and tranquility in its region. “We place great importance on relations with our close neighboring countries,” said Gul. Touching on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, Gul stressed that Turkey would play an important role in the process to end the conflict. “Since both countries trust us, Turkey will contribute to a resolution,” he added. /Aksam/[04] BAYKAL: “THE CHP’S TOP GOAL IS FIGHTING CORRUPTION”Speaking at his party’s group meeting yesterday, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal claimed that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was being “timid” in fighting corruption, which he called one of Turkey’s most pressing problems. Baykal stressed that the CHP’s top goal was reducing corruption and that the nation appreciated this. /Cumhuriyet/[05] DENKTAS: “TURKISH CYPRIOTS WON’T FORSAKE THEIR INDEPENDENCE”Addressing a conference on Turkey, Cyprus and European Union relations organized by Uludag University, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas reiterated yesterday that he wouldn’t stand in the TRNC’s next elections, but added that he would continue his struggle for the nation. He said that no nation would willingly forsake its independence and the Turkish Cypriots were no exception. Denktas added that it was unfair for the EU to stipulate a Cyprus resolution as a precondition for Turkey’s membership. /Cumhuriyet/[06] US IRAQ CMDR GEN. ABIZAID MEETS GULAs part of his contacts in a two-day visit to Ankara, Gen. John Abizaid, commander of US troops in Iraq, yesterday met with Yigit Alpagon, the first civilian secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), and then with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. During their meetings, upcoming Iraqi elections and Turkey’s repeated calls for US forces to move against the terrorist PKK in northern Iraq were taken up. Abizaid told reporters that there were things that US forces in Iraq could do on the PKK issue and pledged to take more action against the group in future. Concerning the elections, scheduled for the end of this month, the US commander stated that participation of all groups in the upcoming polls was essential and called on all Sunni groups, in particular, to take part. In addition, Abizaid reportedly asked Gul for the use of Incirlik Airbase in Adana by US forces when needed. He is scheduled to talk with Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug today. /All Papers/[07] ANKARA HOSTS TRIPARTITE MEETING ON IRAQCivilian and military officials from Turkey, the US and Iraq yesterday met in Ankara to discuss measures to end the terrorist PKK threat in northern Iraq. During the four-hour meeting, the Turkish delegation headed by Ambassador Osman Koruturk urged all sides to cut off the PKK’s financial and logistical resources, and to prevent two political parties supported by the terrorist group from participating in the country’s upcoming elections. The sides agreed to hold further talks on the issue, but said little on what specific measures would be taken to end the PKK’s presence in the region. /Sabah/[08] TURKISH TROOPS SENT TO AFGHANISTANFollowing a farewell ceremony held in Istanbul, a contingent of 1,600 Turkish soldiers from the Third Army Corps left yesterday for Kabul. In mid- February, Turkey is set to take over the command of the NATO-led International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan for a period of six months. Speaking to the ceremony, Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said that in recent years terrorism had become a serious threat to global peace. “NATO has no option in Afghanistan besides success,” added Buyukanit. /Turkiye/[09] GOVT LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM TO AID STREET CHILDRENIn a press conference yesterday in Ankara, five Cabinet ministers headed by State Minister Guldal Aksit said that the government is set to launch a new program to help Turkey’s street children. Stressing that the project will be initially carried out in Istanbul, and later in other big cities, Aksit said that centers would be established to offer the children medical and sociological help. She added that efforts would also be made to prevent crimes, including muggings, perpetrated by the children in question. /Turkiye/[10] QUAKE SHAKES SOUTHWEST TURKEY, NO SERIOUS DAMAGEAn earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook the province of Mugla in southwestern Turkey yesterday. There were no reports of serious injuries or damage to property, officials said. The quake triggered a series of smaller aftershocks. "The governor has been in touch with district officials but has received no reports of destruction or loss of life and property," a local official said. /All Papers/[11] IRAN, SYRIA TIGHTEN SECURITY AT MISSIONS IN TURKEYActing on intelligence from United States security forces, Iran and Syria have reportedly tightened security at their diplomatic missions in Turkey. US forces last week sent an encrypted message to the Interior Ministry warning Turkish authorities that the PKK terrorist group is planning attacks on the Iranian and Syrian embassies and consulates in Turkey. Therefore additional security measures have been taken near and around the said buildings. /Sabah/[12] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…[13] ERDOGAN AND PUTIN BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Russia. A summary of his column is as follows:“Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s trip to Russia this week is probably the busiest foreign visit made recently by one of our leaders. Turkish- Russian relations carry great importance, and our ties with the EU and the US aren’t obstacles to these relations. Russia is still our neighbor to the north. Erdogan’s historic visit is mostly based upon economic interests. Our economic ties with Russia are ripe for growth. Both sides have a great potential. However, our trade deficit, which is due to our energy agreements with Russia, should be closed. Turkish businessmen have large investments in Russia. We’re also expecting an influx of Russian capital. Russia ranks number two after Germany in terms of sending tourists to our country. We ourselves should visit Russia, which is the largest country in the world. 20 million Turks and Muslims live there. In its Caucasia and Turkmenistan policies, Turkey should find a balance between Russia and the US and meet the EU’s requests. This way we can work to benefit the Turkic states there. Our relations with Turkic states should be closer. So we’re waiting to see Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s increased interest in Turkic world. Erdogan’s visit to Moscow will be followed by everybody closely. We have good relations with the Turkic republics, we’re the US’ strategic ally and Russia’s friend, and we get on well with our neighbors. So we can easily become an EU member.” [14] SECURITY SUMMIT BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)Columnist Fikret Bila comments on yesterday’s tripartite security summit between Turkey, the US and Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:“Turkey, the US and Iraq held a security summit in Ankara yesterday. A joint statement released after the meeting said that the parties had decided that Turkey and Iraq would meet again in the future to develop measures to fight the terrorist group PKK_Kongra-Gel and other possible terrorist threats from northern Iraq to Turkey. The statement further states that the US will support this cooperation between Turkey and Iraq. The statement’s important point is that the cooperation has shifted towards the Turkish-Iraqi axis. In the beginning, cooperation against the terrorist group was between Ankara and Washington. A bilateral meeting for the same purpose was held between the US and Turkey in Ankara. It was stated that Ankara and Washington had reached an agreement on joint measures against the PKK_Kongra-Gel. The US has repeatedly explained that it isn’t planning to a military operation against the PKK_Kongra-Gel. Most recently, US Ambassador to Ankara Eric Edelman reiterated this and added that he didn’t expect an operation before Jan. 30, the date of Iraqi elections. Yesterday’s summit is important for the US’ stance. Washington removed itself from being a party on this issue and took the position of a country supporting Turkish- Iraqi cooperation. The US seems to be leaning towards disengaging from the problem. How far could the cooperation between Turkey and Iraq go? We’ll see how effective an axis between Ankara and Baghdad will be under a US and Kurdish authority in northern Iraq. Turkey has to deal with its own domestic problems. After the process of partially legitimizing the terrorist group, we see pressure on Turkish policy. Although now the government is overlooking this pressure, the issue is on the public agenda and we’re seeing political requests. It’s also clear that these issues will be dealt with during our EU membership process. Therefore we can say that Turkey will be under political pressure regarding northern Iraq. The government must recognize this.” ARCHIVE <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript" src="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_statistic/countcode.js"> </script> Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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