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Turkish Press Review, 02-06-25
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
25.06.2002
CONTENTS
[01] ISTANBUL TO HOST BSEC SUMMIT, ENERGY CONFERENCE
[02] ECEVIT HOPES TO RETURN TO WORK
[03] POSSIBLE RECONCILIATION FORMULA FOR CYPRUS
[04] TURKISH-EUROPEAN FOUNDATION ISSUES STATEMENT ON TURKISH-EU RELATIONS
[05] YILMAZ: “TURKEY SHOULD FACE ITS HISTORY FOR ITS EU BID”
[06] FOGG: “DON’T GIVE UP IMPLEMENTING COPENHAGEN CRITERIA DUE TO FEAR OF PKK EXPLOITATION”
[07] PANEL DISCUSSES TURKEY, THE BALKANS AND THE EU
[08] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO DISCUSS RTUK LAW TODAY
[09] BAYKAL PROPOSES CREATING A “TURKISH SILICON VALLEY”
[10] CILLER: “PARLIAMENT SHOULD WORK THROUGH JULY”
[11] SERDENGECTI: “WE SHOULD CONTINUE REFORMS FOR A HEALTHIER BANKING SYSTEM”
[12] INVESTMENT BANK PRAISES TURKISH ECONOMY
[13] TASAR: “OUR NATIONAL TEAM IS A EU MEMBER”
[14] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[15] WE MUST SOLVE CYPRUS BEFORE DECEMBER
BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA (HURRIYET)
[16] BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION SUMMIT BY MUSTAFA BALBAY
(CUMHURIYET)
[01] ISTANBUL TO HOST BSEC SUMMIT, ENERGY CONFERENCE
The Black Sea Economic Cooperation’s (BSEC) heads of state and government
summit will be held in Istanbul today with the attendance of eight
presidents of the 11 members states. Albanian President Rexhep Meidani,
Azerbaijani head of state Haydar Aliyev, Bulgarian President Georgi
Parvanov, Moldovan head of state Vladimir Voronin, Romanian head of state
Ion Iliescu, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, Ukranian head of state
Leonid D. Kuchma, Russian Federation Deputy Prime Minister Valentina
Matviyenko, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanyan arrived in the city yesterday. President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer, the host of the summit, met yesterday with the Georgian and
Romanian presidents. During their meetings, bilateral and regional issues
were reportedly discussed. Meanwhile, the fifth “International Energy
Conference” will start today in Istanbul. In addition to President Sezer,
Azerbaijani, Georgian, Romanian and Ukranian heads of state will attend the
opening ceremony of the conference. Oil and hazardous material
transportation through the Turkish Straits and security measures are
expected to be taken up at the conference. /All Papers/
[02] ECEVIT HOPES TO RETURN TO WORK
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday answered written questions through
his spokesman from journalists stationed outside his office in Oran. Ecevit
declared that civil servants would have tomorrow afternoon off so they
would be able to enjoy the Turkey-Brazil football match in World Cup
semifinals in Japan. Regarding his health, Ecevit said, “I am waiting for
the result of my doctors’ checkup and consultation on Thursday. I am
impatient to return to work at my office at the Prime Ministry.”
Underlining that Pamukbank’s takeover last week by the Banking Supervision
and Regulation Agency (BDDK) was not the government’s decision, the prime
minister said, “There are autonomous and independent institutions to decide
on such topics rather than government. However, the government only helps
those in case of problems in their functioning.” Stressing that he was
sorry for the markets having suffered due to his health condition, Ecevit
said that Turkey had applied the principles of market economy, and that
normally it should not be affected by such situations. Concerning the
enactment of certain European Union harmonization laws, Ecevit said that a
full consensus was not reached on them yet with the opposition parties,
although all principally agree on Turkey’s EU membership bid. He added that
he was hopeful for a consensus on them soon. Meanwhile, Ecevit reportedly
called Turkish National Football Team Coach Senol Gunes yesterday to convey
his best wishes and success for tomorrow’s semifinal match. /Turkiye/
[03] POSSIBLE RECONCILIATION FORMULA FOR CYPRUS
Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides yesterday remarked
that there were great differences of opinion between the Turkish and Greek
sides which could end up dealing a great blow to the current peace talks.
Clerides argued that due to the disputes between the sides, the peace talks
might come to a dead end. Clerides also stated that he and Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas were to discuss Belgium’s
Constitution on Friday as a possible model for the future of the island.
For his part, Denktas displayed more flexibility in his remarks compared to
Clerides’, stressing that a joint structure might be established on the
island. “If our two equal nations reach an agreement, a joint institution
to deal with the EU might be established,” said Denktas. “However, the
balances of Turkish-Greek relations must be protected very carefully.”
/Cumhuriyet/
[04] TURKISH-EUROPEAN FOUNDATION ISSUES STATEMENT ON TURKISH-EU RELATIONS
The directors of the Turkish-European Foundation yesterday issued a written
statement to express their views on the direction the government should
take in relations between Turkey and the European Union. The foundation’s
directors stressed that disputes among the coalition partners on certain
issues such as abolishing the death penalty and education in mother tongues
were adversely affecting Turkey’s economic program. Remarking that
political parties should leave pointless discussions behind, the directors
said, “We believe that Turkey should not miss the opportunity to join the
EU. We must strive to overcome all of our problems with rational policies.”
/Cumhuriyet/
[05] YILMAZ: “TURKEY SHOULD FACE ITS HISTORY FOR ITS EU BID”
Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz
arrived yesterday in Brussels along with members of the Union of Turkish
Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) and State Minister Tunca Toskay.
Attending a lunch organized by the TOBB, Yilmaz said that Turkey should
face its history for its European Union membership bid, adding that the
Europeans had done so in establishing the Customs Union. Yilmaz also said
that if the nation could start its full membership negotiations in December
then Turkey could join the EU in 2007-2008 along with Romania and Bulgaria.
“The Parliament is set to go on summer recess this weekend, but work and
study should continue for our EU harmonization laws,” Yilmaz added.
Speaking on the Cyprus issue, Yilmaz stated that Turkey’s approval should
be obtained for Cyprus to join the EU, and added that, if things come to a
point Turkey doesn’t want, then the nation would apply for redress at an
international court. /Hurriyet/
[06] FOGG: “DON’T GIVE UP IMPLEMENTING COPENHAGEN CRITERIA DUE TO FEAR OF
PKK EXPLOITATION”
European Union Turkish Representative Karen Fogg, whose duty in Ankara is
nearing its close, visited Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet
Bahceli yesterday at his office. During their meeting, Bahceli stated that
the Copenhagen criteria were compatible with the aims of terrorist group
PKK. Fogg replied, “Don’t give up implementing the Copenhagen criteria due
to fear of PKK exploitation.” The death penalty and Kurdish education and
broadcasting were also on the agenda of the meeting. Fogg said that Turkey
didn’t need to deal with these issues in the immediate future since they
are mid-term European Union accession criteria. /Milliyet/
[07] PANEL DISCUSSES TURKEY, THE BALKANS AND THE EU
The situation of Turkey vis-a-vis the Balkans and the European Union was
discussed at a panel sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation yesterday.
Middle East Technical University (METU) Associate Professor Mustafa Turkes
said, “Stability in the Balkans must be increased to a maximum level. If
stability and security is not ensured at this level, it will be impossible
to stop unforeseen events from spiraling out of control.” Stating that a
proposed European army to be established under the European Security and
Defense Policy (ESDP) would need certainly Turkey, Turkes added, “We can
consider the stance of Greece, which doesn’t want Turkey to be included in
this army, as natural. However, if the other countries are similarly
disposed, then this shows how narrow-minded those countries are.” In
addition, freelance journalist Dietrich Schlegel spoke, saying that the
fact that some Balkan countries had started EU membership negotiations
before Turkey shouldn’t mislead anybody and that no country could join the
EU without meeting its criteria. /Turkiye/
[08] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO DISCUSS RTUK LAW TODAY
The Constitutional Court is to hold deliberations on the Supreme Board of
Radio and Television (RTUK) Law today. A group of parliamentarians had
previously applied to the Constitutional Court to annul and issue a stay
order of the law’s 13 articles, arguing that they violated the
Constitution. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] BAYKAL PROPOSES CREATING A “TURKISH SILICON VALLEY”
At a press conference yesterday, center-left Republican People’s Party
(CHP) leader Deniz Baykal proposed creating a ”Turkish Silicon Valley”
similar to the one in the United States. Baykal commented that because
information technology had become more important than other sectors, a
technology ministry should be set up. He addded that information technology
did not require a great deal of capital and that Turkey should utilize its
vast human resources. /Milliyet/
[10] CILLER: “PARLIAMENT SHOULD WORK THROUGH JULY”
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said yesterday that Parliament
should work through July before taking its summer recess in order to pass
European Union harmonization laws.
Ciller today will submit a proposal in Parliament that it not recess on
July 1 as scheduled. Meanwhile, following the cancellation of her
appointments last week with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the opposition
party leader yesterday asked for her meetings with the three leaders to be
rescheduled. /Sabah/
[11] SERDENGECTI: “WE SHOULD CONTINUE REFORMS FOR A HEALTHIER BANKING
SYSTEM”
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Turkish Banking Union in London,
Central Bank Chairman Sureyya Serdengecti said that Turkey should continue
its reforms towards healthier banking system. Serdengecti also said that
Turkey should continue its economic program in league with the
International Monetary Fund whatever conditions arise. “This is the only
way to bring down inflation and to be successful in the economy,” he added.
/Hurriyet/
[12] INVESTMENT BANK PRAISES TURKISH ECONOMY
International investment bank Schroder Salomon Smith Barney (SSSB) stated
yesterday that the macroeconomic structure of the Turkish economy was good
in spite of the markets’ sensitivities to political developments. In its
analysis of Turkey’s economy, SSSB stated that it was possible for Turkey
to reach its inflation target for this year of 35% and its growth target of
3% and that Turkey could even achieve a lower inflation rate. The analysis
stated that the situations of both the balance of payments and financial
balance performances were good and that economic growth had begun. /Aksam/
[13] TASAR: “OUR NATIONAL TEAM IS A EU MEMBER”
Following his weekend tour of Cappadochia with a host of ambassadors to
Turkey, Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar said that the success of Turkey’s
national football team had done a great deal to put the nation in the
spotlight on the world stage. He and the ambassadors took time out from
their tour to watch Turkey beat Senegal on Saturday. “Turkey is a European
Union member with its national football team,” he added. Tasar remarked
that Turkey’s tourism sector was taking great strides and it would soon be
one of the leading tourist destinations of the 21st century. /Turkiye/
[14] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[15] WE MUST SOLVE CYPRUS BEFORE DECEMBER
BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA (HURRIYET)
Columnist Muharrem Sarikaya comments on the words of Deputy Prime Minister
Mesut Yilmaz saying that Turkey must solve the Cyprus issue before
December. A summary of his column is as follows:
“We are in Brussels together with the chairmen of all chambers and
commodities exchanges coming from every corner of Turkey. The chairmen took
the stand one by one. Even though Turkish Union of Chambers and Stock
Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu repeatedly told them not to
talk about their regional problems as they could mention these to the
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and State Minister Tunca Toskay, they
were all united on one issue. ‘Pass the reform laws necessary to enter the
EU. An opposition party which doesn’t support these reforms will forever be
left in the opposition. If it is one of the coalition parties, it won’t
ever come to power again.’ Their timing was as important as the gist of
their words. They were making this call only half an hour after a militant
from the terrorist DHKP-C terrorist organization recently taken onto the
EU’s list of terrorist organizations, had threatened Yilmaz with death. The
regions the calls were made from were also noteworthy. They come from Igdir
in the east, Kusadasi and Manisa from the western parts of Turkey.
Following them, Mesut Yilmaz took the stand. He was pleased with the stand
of the TOBB which had stayed in the background concerning the EU. Yilmaz
noted the example given by Chairman Hisarciklioglu that the Spanish Chamber
and Stock Exchanges Union had been 70% influential in their country’s
membership to the EU. Yilmaz then went on to say that as EU faced its own
history and took steps towards the future, Turkey had not been able to face
its own history. He said, ‘For two centuries we have been unable to get
into step with the West although we would like to adopt Western ways.
Commemorating Mehmet the Conqueror when we discuss history, we forget that
we have missed the 18th and 19th centuries... Ataturk was great because
although he won the wars against the West, he stated that Turkey’s future
lay in the West.’ In a face-to-face conversation, we reminded Yilmaz that
leading EU officials in Brussels had stated that Turkey was the
intransigent party in Cyprus and that it had to contribute to a solution to
the problem. Yilmaz replied that they were being unfair to TRNC President
Denktas. He added that the April 29 document was an important initiative.
It brought solutions to the problem and contributed to taking great strides
towards an agreement. No one could ignore this. He stated that he had
stressed these points to the high-ranking officials in the EU and added
that if no solution is found to the Cyprus problem before December, a
solution would be in jeopardy and this would leave Turkey in a tight spot.
The largest nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Turkey, the TOBB, which
had stayed silent on the issue until today, took an important step in
Brussels. Taking the trades union chairmen and other NGOs to its side, the
TOBB is sending a message to Ankara from Brussels to open the EU path.”
[16] BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION SUMMIT BY MUSTAFA BALBAY
(CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Mustafa Balbay writes on the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
summit being held today in Istanbul on the group’s 10th anniversary. A
summary of his column is as follows:
“The Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) is 10 years old. BSEC was formed
in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union as part of new
initiatives with the melting of ice and the emergence of new giants in the
region. The BSEC summit to be held in Istanbul will also celebrate the 10th
anniversary of the organization. The BSEC summit, which is beginning even
before the lobbying activities of the Seville summit have cooled down, is a
reflection of Turkey’s place within the new world balance. When we take a
look at these 10 years, it may at first seem that there is nothing tangible
at hand. However, the laying of a building’s foundations and constructing
its ground floor are the longest steps during the building’s whole
construction. If the foundations are sound, the rest comes easy. We can
liken the desire of countries around the Black Sea to improve their
relations within an atmosphere of mutual trust to laying down the
foundations. Its taking shape may be the building of columns, and
institutionalizing relations may be completing the groundwork. We seem to
have reached this point. The EU, today aims to be a world power more than a
regional one, but is confused on how to do this as it was first established
on the desire of six countries to form a steel union. Following the
disintegration of the Soviet Union, the USSR’s Black Sea Navy was divided
up between Russia and the Ukraine. This led Turkey to come to mind when
speaking of the greatest navy in the Black Sea. Adding economic power to
this comes not from saying ‘I am the most powerful’ but rather ‘I can
establish the best relations.’ The Eurasia Agreement, in addition to the
energy agreements between Russia and Turkey, may be followed by others. If
Turkey and Russia can establish a sound relationship, solutions to all the
problems in the region starting with one between Armenia and Azerbaijan may
be facilitated. The heads of state from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and Moldova are attending today’s
summit. Russian’s deputy prime minister and foreign ministers from Greece
and Armenia are also coming. While celebrating the 10th anniversary of the
BSEC, we hope that it will be more institutionalized in the next 10 years
to come.”
ARCHIVE
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