|
|
Turkish Press Review, 08-02-21
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
21.02.2008
CONTENTS
[01] ERDOGAN HOSTS LUNCHEON FOR NEW AMBASSADORIAL APPOINTEES
[02] NSC TO MEET TODAY
[03] PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW FOUNDATIONS LAW
[04] COURT OF APPEALS HEAD: “I DON’T SEE THE REGIME AS BEING UNDER THREAT”
[05] BABACAN STRESSES CONTINUED ENERGY COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
[06] US DEFENSE SEC’Y TO VISIT TURKEY NEXT WEEK
[07] TUSIAD: “EU MEMBERSHIP IS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE FOR TURKEY”
[08] WHAT DID TOPBAS SUGGEST TO NOVELLI?
[01] ERDOGAN HOSTS LUNCHEON FOR NEW AMBASSADORIAL APPOINTEES
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday hosted a luncheon for newly
appointed Foreign Ministry ambassadors. Speaking at the luncheon, Erdogan
stated that Turkey’s aim was to make progress and gain momentum in its
European Union accession process, adding, “I believe that you will
counter initiatives meant to block or delay this process.” /Aksam/
[02] NSC TO MEET TODAY
The National Security Council (NSC) will hold its first meeting of the year
today at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. During the gathering, top
officials chaired by President Abdullah Gul will discuss the fight against
terrorism. The General Staff is expected to brief the council on continuing
operations to eliminate PKK militants in northern Iraq. In addition, recent
developments in Iraq, the newly independent Kosovo, and events in the
Balkans, as well as the Cyprus issue and relations with the European Union,
will be taken up. /Turkiye/
[03] PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW FOUNDATIONS LAW
Despite a hail of criticism from opposition parties, the controversial new
Foundations Law was passed overwhelmingly by Parliament yesterday by a vote
of 242-72. The law had been sent back to Parliament last year for
reconsideration by then President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. In a written
statement, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn welcomed
the development, calling it a test of how much value Turkey places on
guaranteeing rights and freedoms. /Milliyet/
[04] COURT OF APPEALS HEAD: “I DON’T SEE THE REGIME AS BEING UNDER
THREAT”
Court of Appeals head Hasan Gerceker yesterday said that the powers of
legislation, law enforcement and the judiciary are not unlimited. At a
meeting with reporters in his office, Gerceker said, “I cannot say that I
see Turkey’s regime as being in danger,” adding, “Neither as an
individual nor as the head of the Court of Appeals could I say such a
thing. There’s no such thing as ‘such a scenario will never occur’
[the regime will never be threatened]. I don’t think such a discussion is
timely.” Gerceker also said that from time to time he would make
statements to the public about such issues, but not often. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] BABACAN STRESSES CONTINUED ENERGY COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, on a visit to Moscow, said yesterday that
Turkey places great importance on energy cooperation with Russia. Speaking
to reporters after meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov,
Babacan said that Russia and Turkey are two key energy hub countries, as
both transfer petroleum and natural gas to other markets, adding that their
work in energy complements each other. For his part, Lavrov said that they
had affirmed their intention to boost bilateral relations. After completing
his contacts, Babacan returned to Turkey. /Turkiye/
[06] US DEFENSE SEC’Y TO VISIT TURKEY NEXT WEEK
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates will visit Turkey next Tuesday and
Wednesday as the guest of his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul. US officials
described Gates’ visit as a part of continuing cooperation against the
terrorist PKK. /Aksam-Cumhuriyet/
[07] TUSIAD: “EU MEMBERSHIP IS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE FOR TURKEY”
European Union membership is Turkey’s only path, as any other goal is out
of the question, said Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s
Association (TUSIAD) head Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag yesterday. “Turkey’s
future lies within Europe,” she told a meeting in the Netherlands on
investment opportunities in Turkey. Yalcindag touted the nation’s
remarkable economic growth and success in recent years, adding that
marshalling its infrastructure, dynamic population and other advantages
will lead to even further gains. Turkey deserves full EU membership, she
stressed. /Hurriyet/
FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[08] WHAT DID TOPBAS SUGGEST TO NOVELLI?
BY MELIHA OKUR (SABAH)
Columnist Meliha Okur comments on economic ties between Turkey and France.
A summary of her column is as follows:
“We set out on our journey of globalization while countering the argument
of a clash of civilizations. Our walk is continuing with the hope of an
alliance of civilizations. Secular yet Muslim Turkey, at the heart of the
issue, is always being tested and trying to explain its cultural richness.
For me, the Louvre’s current exhibit art of from three Islamic art
capitals " Istanbul, Isfahan and Delhi " is a prime example of this.
Istanbul’s Sakip Sabanci Museum cooperated with the Louvre to make this
show possible. Over 200 distinguished works from the Ottoman, Iranian
Safavid and Indian Mughal empires are being shown at the exhibit, which was
opened by President Abdullah Gul. Sabanci Holding Board Chairman Guler
Sabanci, Sakip Sabanci’s widow Turkan Sabanci, and Akbank Chairman Erol
Sabanci and his wife showed a special interest in Gul and his wife.
French Foreign Trade Minister Herve Novelli was also at the opening and
tried to promote a spirit of rebirth in the two countries’ ties, but in
vain, because French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s stance bothers the
Turkish public. France is losing money in Turkey, unable to gain a foothold
in many areas, particularly defense contracts.
Novelli has lobbied scores of Turkish institutions and cities with about 40
businessmen, including the Greater Istanbul Municipality. When I saw
Istanbul Greater Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas at the opening, I asked
him what France had asked of him. Topbas told me that it was interested in
areas like transportation, water, finance, nuclear power, and natural gas.
The Istanbul Gas Distribution Industry and Trade Company will soon be
privatized. Other companies may also be involved. Topbas told me he told
Novelli that he has 23 companies and suggested founding a joint company to
invest in third countries together. Isn’t that interesting?”
|