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Turkish Press Review, 09-02-27
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
27.02.2009
CONTENTS
[01] GUL RECEIVES JEWISH COMMUNITY LEADER
[02] US' MITCHELL: "TURKEY HAS A UNIQUE ROLE TO PLAY IN ACHIEVING LASTING PEACE IN THE MIDEAST"
[03] GUL TO VISIT IRAN, BELGIUM IN MARCH
[04] MGK MEETS
[05] TUZMEN RECEIVES ORDER OF GOLDEN FLEECE FROM GEORGIA
[06] YILDIRIM IN IRAN ON SATURDAY FOR TRAIN MEETING
[07] LAST-GASP GALATASARY STAY ON COURSE FOR HOME CITY FINAL
[01] GUL RECEIVES JEWISH COMMUNITY LEADER
President Abdullah Gul yesterday received Silvyo Ovadya, a leader of
Turkey's Jewish community, at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara to
learn firsthand about the community's problems and expectations. Gul
reportedly assured Ovadya that Jews living in Turkey are equal citizens of
the country, stressing the state's firm determination to oppose all forms
of discrimination and to protect their rights and freedoms. Tension between
Turkey and Israel due to the Gaza war and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's walkout from a meeting in Davos late last month after heated
words with Israeli President Shimon Peres had caused concern in the
community of rising anti-Semitism in Turkey. During the meeting, Gul
reportedly acknowledged the possibility of isolated extreme reactions but
said the government is on the alert for such problems, also expressing hope
that such incidents would recede as the situation in Gaza improves. /Sabah/
[02] US' MITCHELL: "TURKEY HAS A UNIQUE ROLE TO PLAY IN ACHIEVING LASTING
PEACE IN THE MIDEAST"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday received US special Middle
East envoy George Mitchell in Ankara to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian
peace process as well as other regional issues. Foreign Minister Ali
Babacan was also in attendance. During the meeting, Erdogan reportedly told
Mitchell that excluding Hamas from efforts to find lasting peace in the
Middle East was not realistic. "After they (Hamas) won the (2006) elections,
Turkey has constantly encouraged Hamas leaders to make contributions to the
peace process, and positive changes have been observed upon this
encouragement," Erdogan reportedly told Mitchell. "I earlier urged Hamas
that it should recognize the 1993 Oslo Accords. Continuity in state
policies is important. We are always encouraging them to take this
continuity into consideration." He also stressed the importance of active
US involvement in the Middle East peace process. Expressing Turkey's
appreciation for the Obama administration's efforts for lasting peace in
the region, Erdogan also said Turkey expects more international and US
efforts to open Gaza border crossings to humanitarian aid for thousands of
Palestinians living in tents in the narrow strip under Israeli blockade.
Erdogan and Mitchell also discussed Turkish-brokered indirect Syrian-
Israeli peace talks, with Mitchell reportedly saying the US hopes these
talks will continue. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mitchell said
that Turkey would play a unique role in President Barack Obama's efforts to
achieve peace in the Middle East. "As an important democratic nation with
strong relations with Israel, Turkey has a unique role to play and can have
a significant influence on our efforts to promote comprehensive peace in
the region," Mitchell said. "It is important for us now to look forward and
to work together to build a secure, prosperous future for all of the people
of this region." In related news, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
will likely visit Turkey as part of her tour of the region scheduled for
next month. /Turkiye/
[03] GUL TO VISIT IRAN, BELGIUM IN MARCH
President Abdullah Gul is set to visit Iran and Brussels next month, along
with a large business delegation. Gul will attend an Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO) summit in a bid to boost economic and commercial
relations between the member countries. Afterwards, he will attend a
European Business Summit (EBS) in Brussels. On the sidelines of the summit,
Gul is expected to hold bilateral meetings with European leaders to discuss
the global economic crisis. Gul is also reportedly expected to soon tour
the Middle East, including Syria./Aksam/
[04] MGK MEETS
The National Security Council (MGK), chaired by President Abdullah Gul,
yesterday convened at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. According to a
statement released after the five-hour meeting, the MGK discussed such
issues as the fight against the terrorist PKK and measures to be taken
ahead of annual Nevruz celebrations, energy routes, the Israeli-Palestinian
situation in the wake of Israel's offensive in Gaza, and recent development
in the Middle East. In the statement, the MGK reaffirmed that the
international community, and in particular regional countries, should take
responsibility for bringing peace and stability to the Middle East and to
solve issues such as the Palestinian issue. It stressed that Turkey will
continue to work to promote peace and stability in the region. The MGK also
discussed Russian-proposed energy routes intended to bypass Turkey to
transport Caspian natural gas to Europe. /Star/
[05] TUZMEN RECEIVES ORDER OF GOLDEN FLEECE FROM GEORGIA
Georgia has bestowed on State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen the
Order of the Golden Fleece, a medal of honor awarded to non-Georgian
citizens who have contributed to the development of bilateral relations.
Following a two-day visit to Georgia accompanied by a delegation of 150
businesspeople, Tuzmen was honored by Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili, who presented him and Nurol Holding Chairman Nurettin Carmikli
with the medal in appreciation of their efforts to bring the two nations
closer together. /Today's zaman/
[06] YILDIRIM IN IRAN ON SATURDAY FOR TRAIN MEETING
Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim will pay an official visit to Iran
on Saturday. Yildirim will attend an Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Container
Train meeting, organized under the Sixth Joint Commission Meeting on
Transportation between Iran and Turkey and the Economic Cooperation
Organization. He will return to Turkey on Sunday. /Hurriyet Daily News/
[07] LAST-GASP GALATASARY STAY ON COURSE FOR HOME CITY FINAL
Taking on Girondins Bordeaux of France in Istanbul's Ali Sami Yen Stadium
in a UEFA Cup Group H home match last night, soccer side Galatasary scored
a last-minute winner to knock out its rival in a seven-goal thriller to
reach the last 16 and stay on course for a UEFA Cup final. Defender Sabri
Sarioglu struck from the edge of the penalty area to give the 2000 UEFA Cup
winners a 4-3 first knockout round victory as Bordeaux's fine fightback
from 3-1 down ended in heartbreak. The May 20 final will be staged at the
home of Galatasaray's archrivals, Fenerbahce's Rustu Saracoglu Stadium in
Istanbul. /Today's Zaman/
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