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Turkish Press Review, 07-06-25
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
25.06.2007
CONTENTS
[01] BSEC TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL TODAY
[02] GUL URGES THE US TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST TERRORIST PKK
[03] ERDOGAN CAMPAIGNS IN ADIYAMAN, DIYARBAKIR
[04] ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL, AGAR, BAHCELI CRITICIZE GOVT
[05] BABACAN: “THE NEXT AKP GOVT WILL FOCUS ON MICROECONOMIC MATTERS”
[01] BSEC TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL TODAY
Exactly 15 years ago, the heads of state of 11 countries encircling the
Black Sea met in Istanbul to lay the foundation of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (BSEC). Today the leaders of the BSEC, which has now 12 members
and 13 observers, will again gather in its birthplace to give the
organization new momentum. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will preside over
the meeting in the afternoon and also host the leaders for dinner. Both
Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to hold bilateral
meetings with the visiting leaders. Their talks are expected mostly to
focus on energy, the environment, transportation, trade, telecommunications
and anti-crime efforts. /Turkish Daily News-Sabah/
[02] GUL URGES THE US TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST TERRORIST PKK
Ankara expects US and Iraqi officials to take firm steps on the PKK issue,
said Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul over the weekend. Speaking to Greek
daily Kathimerini, Gul touched on the northern Iraq issue, Turkey’s
European Union membership bid, Turkish-Greek relations, and the Cyprus
issue, as well as next month’s general elections in Turkey. Stressing
that his government gave the highest priority to combating PKK terrorists,
Gul said that high-level US officials, including the president, had
expressed their intention to back Turkey’s anti-terrorist efforts. In
addition, Gul said that Ankara had welcomed his Greek counterpart Dora
Bakoyannis’ statements supporting Turkey’s full EU membership.
/Turkiye/
[03] ERDOGAN CAMPAIGNS IN ADIYAMAN, DIYARBAKIR
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday unveiled his ruling Justice
and Development Party’s (AKP) election program at the new AKP
headquarters in Ankara. Erdogan said that they aimed at further developing
the country. The nearly 230-page program proposes sweeping constitutional
amendments and calls for zero tolerance for torture, expanding fundamental
rights and freedoms, an increase in the national per capita income, lower
inflation, and reform in higher education. As part of his campaigning for
next month’s elections, he then traveled to the southeastern provinces of
Adiyaman and Diyarbakir. Addressing crowds, Erdogan pledged nonstop efforts
for stability and security for a stronger Turkey. Erdogan also accused
opposition parties of making false promises during their campaigning.
/Hurriyet/
Addressing campaign rallies in the Black Sea province of Tokat yesterday,
main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal
criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for claiming that the CHP
was working with the right-wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Saying
that Turkey’s future would be determined by the general elections set for
next month, Baykal added that with its decision, the nation would decide
what direction it will take. Baykal also criticized the government’s
conduct of anti-terrorism efforts. Speaking en route to Tokat, Baykal said
that the CHP would cooperate with a party which also works for Turkey.
/Sabah-Cumhuriyet/
[04] ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL, AGAR, BAHCELI CRITICIZE GOVT
Speaking in Sanliurfa yesterday, opposition Democrat Party (DP) leader
Mehmet Agar said that in the aborted presidential election earlier this
year the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had lacked will, adding
that it could have elected a president if it had really wanted to. “You
chose to flee,” said Agar. He further criticized Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul, blaming the recurring “genocide” allegations and setbacks
in Turkey’s European Union bid on the onetime AKP presidential candidate.
Addressing crowds in Izmir over the weekend, opposition Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli also criticized the government,
saying that the nation should end its run of bad luck in the July 22
general elections. /Star/
[05] BABACAN: “THE NEXT AKP GOVT WILL FOCUS ON MICROECONOMIC MATTERS”
Economy Minister Ali Babacan yesterday touted the ruling Justice and
Development Party’s (AKP) new election program, saying that its basic
principles and policies were similar to its 2002 program, but this time
featured a new, different structure. Saying that Turkey’s macroeconomic
balances are now largely under control, Babacan said if reelected the new
AKP government would turn to microeconomic balances. “Especially sectoral
policies will be more important in the coming period,” added Babacan. He
further stated that the government aimed at Turkey having a $10,000 per
capita income. /Star/
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