Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-08-06

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

07 AUGUST 2001Monday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 6, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

KOC:''WE MIGHT BUY MARKS & SPENCER''

Koc Holding Foreign Trade Group Chairman Hasan Bengu has said that Koc Group will be more interested in foreign markets and buy global brands if necessary. ''Marks & Spencer is on sale in Britain. Why wouldn't we buy it. Besides, there are many groups like Marks & Spencer on sale,'' he said. Koc Holding which remained below one billion U.S. dollar in export in the last five years, is targeting an export of 1 billion 723 million U.S. dollars with a 77 percent increase by the end of 2001.

BALCOVA THERMAL FACILITIES PARTICIPATE IN NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT'S BIDDING

Balcova Thermal Facilities is getting ready to enter a bidding of the Norwegian government. Norwegian Social Security System, for the first time, opened a bidding for Norwegians who need treatment at thermal springs. The company which gives the best service will win the ''sick tourists''. For many years, Norwegian patients have been coming to Balcova for health reasons.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) who was re-elected on Saturday in ANAP's Congress, had an influential role in the election of the Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK). MKYK members who were elected on Sunday were composed of persons who were supported by Yilmaz. Meanwhile, Mahmut Bozkurt, a deputy from Adiyaman resigned from his party, saying that ANAP only knows to win Congresses, but it couldn't win the people.

WHY DO TOURISTS PREFER TURKEY?

The Ministry of Culture announced the results of a survey on the internet about the tourists who prefer Turkey. Twenty-five percent of the tourists said that the prices are cheap in Turkey, twenty percent of them noted that they wanted to know Turkish people and Turkey better. Fifteen percent said that they come to Turkey because they have the opportunity to have cheap shopping in Turkey.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor examines one by one the Istanbul municipality tenders claimed to be controlled by former Istanbul mayor Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the reformist wing of the banned Virtue Party (FP) which broke off ties with the Felicity Party (SP). It is claimed that municipality sources were used to prepare the prime minister of Turkey for the future.

BAHCELI SAYS NATIONAL SECURITY DEBATE IS WRONG

Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said that he does not consider right the debate started by his coalition partner Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) about ''national security.''. Yilmaz had earlier noted that the concept of national security was abused in a way to impede all sorts of development in the country. Bahceli told in Erciyes Victory Congress of his party that ''it is not possible for us to share the views of Yilmaz. Such kind of debates will kill time.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

It was reported that 12 percent of the registered unemployed people live in Istanbul. There are 84,158 people who have no jobs in Istanbul according to documents. Istanbul is followed by Ankara which has 47,644 unemployed people. There are only 542 unemployed people in Rize. Turkey, in the last six months, sent many workers to Saudi Arabia followed by Russia, Israel and Germany.

POLITICS STILL A CLOSED DOOR FOR WOMEN

Women parliamentarians in the world constitute only 12.7 percent of their parliaments. This figure is 4.2 percent in Turkey which ranks 101st on the list in terms of the number of women parliamentarians in parliaments. A report prepared by Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and Parliament Women's Status Research Commission showed that the number of men and women in a majority of countries was very unbalanced. In the last elections, only 23 women were able to enter the Turkish parliament while men had the remaining 527 seats.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

Turkey will become very hot again following the rainy weather last week. The temperatures will increase by 2-4 degrees starting from western provinces this week. Humidity will also increase. Officials warned citizens about the hot weather.

NATIONAL SECURITY AND CRISIS

Turkey spends too much money on military expenditures showing its geostrategical status as a reason. However, the paper notes that a country needs economic power rather than military power to show itself in the international arena. Turkey is ranked the sixth in respect of its population who do their military service and it comes the 14th in respect of the sources it allocates to military. Turkey spends 5,4 percent of its national income for its defense. The paper tries to find an answer to the relation between the military expenditures and the economic crisis which Turkey suffers from.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Naionalist Movement Party (MHP) and Deputy Prime Minister said that Turkey has to undertake structural reforms in order to prevent Turkey to go through another economic crisis. Bahceli said tat MHP does not think of a revision in the coalition government. Stressing that the Turkish economy has to grow and overcome social unjustices, Bahceli said that the conditions of poor people have to be improved.

DERVIS SAYS BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HIGH INTEREST RATES

State Minister Kemal Dervis told German Welt am Sonntag newspaper published in Germany that Turkey has started to overcome the economic crisis. Noting that the inflation has started to decrease, Dervis said that Turkish economy's only problem is the high interest rates which are almost 90 percent.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Investors who are looking for a way out of the crisis are waiting for a series of fairs in September which is expected to enliven the economy. The first important organization in September will be the 10th Information and Communication Technologies Fair. The fair which will be the biggest science fair of Europe and Asia will take place at Belylikduzu TUYAP fair center on Sept. 4-9. About 100 firms from 15 countries will participate in the fair. Information Technologies summit at Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Hall, 1st International Packaging Technologies fair at Beylikduzu TUYAP, European Quality Congress are among the other activities that will be organized in September.

DEBT INTEREST RISES

Treasury authorities stated that the domestic debt interest target has been revised and increased from 81 to 91 percent. Responding to the criticisms against Treasury's borrowing papers indexed to foreign currency, authorities said that borrowing indexed to foreign currency had an advantage of preventing manipulations on foreign currency.

-MINCATO, CEO OF ENI S.p.A SAYS GAS WILL START TO BE PUMPED

AS OF SPRING 2002 BY BLUE STREAM PROJECT

ISTANBUL - Vittorio Mincato, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eni S.p.A. said on Monday that gas will start to be pumped as of spring 2002 by Blue Stream Project.

Speaking in the news conference held upon the passage of giant Saipem 7000 ship, which will install pipelines on deep waters of the Black Sea, from Istanbul strait, Mincato said that they worked for the project for three years and they overcome political, economic and financial difficulties.

Noting that the project carries great importance for ENI, Mincato said that ''we will see the passage of an Italian technology talent. This project which was described as a blue dream by some of us, has come true. Gas will start to be pumped as of Spring 2002.''

ENI President Gian Maria Gros Pietro said that this project enabled three countries to come together for technology.

''The technology of Eni group brings together three countries, energy consumer and energy producer countries for the project. This is very important for the world, too,'' Pietro said.

Gazprom Executive Board President Alexei Miller said in his part that the passage of Saipem 7000 from Istanbul strait is an important part of Blue Stream Project, adding that this project will definitely become successful.

-CONSTRUCTION TENDER OF GOCEK TUNNEL TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER

ANKARA - The first important step in construction of Gocek tunnel, which comes among the most important investments of Highways Directorate General will be taken soon.

Director General of Highways told on Monday that the document listing the terms of the tender regarding Gocek tunnel that constitutes the most important connection between Fethiye and Dalaman has been prepared and will be submitted to the approval of the minister soon.

The tender will be held in September this year and Turkish firms will undertake the construction of the tunnel.

Yigit said that they will give priority to the firm which will offer the shortest time in construction of the tunnel, adding that they will also take into consideration the cost and technology that will be used in the project.

The tunnel is expected to cost nearly 20 trillion TL. The most advanced technology will be used in the construction of Gocek tunnel which will be undertaken by the build-operate and transfer system.

The tunnel will be operated by the constructor firm for a certain period of time and it will later be transfrered to the directorate general of Highways.

-CENTRAL BANK:''JULY INFLATION WAS IN LINE WITH END OF YEAR INFLATION TARGET''

-OVERNIGHT INTEREST RATES DECREASED FROM 67 TO 62 PERCENT

ANKARA - The Central Bank Monday announced that inflation rate for July was in line with the inflation estimations for the whole year and the second half of the year.

A written statement from the bank said that the bank was closely following the present developments regarding inflation in order to maintain a price stability.

According to the statement, especially consumer inflation and production industry price increases remained below the market expectations. Other indications showed that this positive development in inflation is likely to continue in the coming months.

The Central Bank also said that the foreign currency rates also became stable which is one of the positive signs.

''It has become clear that there are many differences between the Turkish and Argentinian economy in terms of structural reforms, currency regime and finance policies,'' the bank said.

In order to withdraw the excess liquidity in the markets, the bank decreased repo and reverse repo interest rates from 67 to 62 percent for overnight, from 71 to 68 percent for seven day maturity term and from 72 to 69 percent for 14 day maturity term.

-TREASURY TO HOLD A BOND AUCTION ON TUESDAY

ANKARA - Treasury will hold a bond auction with a maturity term of 154 days tomorrow.

The issue date of the bonds will be Aug. 8, Wednesday and its repayment day is Jan. 9, 2002. Single price system will be used at the auction.

The last bond auction of 91 days was held on July 23 and Treasury accepted offers worth of 908 trillion 598.7 billion TL. Gross yearly interest rate was 70.78 percent and gross compound interest rate was 91.88 percent at the auction.

-GIANT VESSEL SAIPEM 7000 PASSES UNDER BOGAZICI BRIDGE

ISTANBUL - Giant vessel ''Saipem 7000'' which will install a pipeline on the Black Sea ground between Turkey and Russia, passed under the Bogazici Bridge in the Istanbul Strait (Bosphorus) on Monday.

The vessel entered the Istanbul Strait at about 09:00 a.m.

It passed under the Bogazici Bridge under heavy safety measures.

Saipem 7000 has the capacity to install a pipeline at 3,000 meters depth.

The ship had left the Italian port of Palermo three weeks ago.

The pipeline will be constructed between Bregovaya town of Russia and northern province of Samsun, and foreign ships will help Saipem 7000 during the construction of the 1,250 kilometer long pipeline.

-PASSAGE OF GIANT VESSEL SAIPEM 7000 THROUGH ISTANBUL STRAIT

-ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER CAKAN MEETS WITH ITALIAN

PRODUCTION AFFAIRS MINISTER ANTONIO MARZANO

ISTANBUL - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan said on Monday, ''Blue Stream Project is of great important for the future of Turkey. This project should take its place on Turkey's agenda positively. But some circles have been trying to wear out a political party for the sake of their own political purposes.''

Cakan met with Minister of Productive Activities Antonio Marzano of Italy prior to the ceremony held on the occasion of giant vessel Saipem 7000's passage through the Istanbul Strait.

Responding to questions of the journalists before the meeting which was closed to the press, Cakan stressed, ''there are some risks that should be taken in putting into practice the projects of great importance for the future of Turkey. These projects are the Blue Stream, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, and Iran. I want to thank architects of these risky projects.''

Noting that Turkey had spent 339 million 750 thousand U.S. dollars for the Blue Stream Project, Cakan told reporters, ''298 million U.S. dollars were spent for construction of pipeline between Ankara and northern province of Samsun. Meanwhile, Russia has allocated 2.7 billion U.S. dollars to this project. This giant platform will install double pipes on the ground of the Black Sea at 2,150 meters depth. Blue Stream Project is of great important for the future of Turkey. This project should take its place on Turkey's agenda positively. But some circles have been trying to wear out a political party for the sake of their own political purposes.''

Referring to Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Cakan told reporters, ''main engineering works were finalized. We have started detailed engineering works on June 19, 2001. These works will end in a year. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be finalized in 2005. 50 million tonnes of oil will be transported to Ceyhan as of 2005. Turkey will receive annual 400 million U.S. dollars of transit passage fee between the first and 16th years. The fee will increase to 400 million U.S. dollars between the 16th and 40th years. Turkey will become an energy corridor and gain a strategical importance.''

-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND UEFA CUP QUALIFYING ROUNDS

ANKARA - European Champions League third qualifying round first legs and UEFA Cup qualifying round first legs will start to be played as of Tuesday.

Turkish league champions Fenerbahce will take on Scotland's Glasgow Rangers on Wednesday at Ibrox Stadium in Glosgow, Scotland in the Champions League third qualifying round first leg. The game will start at 21.45 Turkish local time.

Galatasaray will host Bulgaria's PFC Levski Sofia at their home Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul the same day. The third qualifying round first leg between Galatasaray and Levski Sofia will start at 19.30 Turkish local time.

Meanwhile, Gaziantepspor will play away against Moldova's FC Zimbru Chisinau in the UEFA CUP qualifying round first leg. The game will start at 20.30 Turkish local time in Chisinau, Moldova.

Champions League thrid qualifying round second legs will be played on August 21-22 and UEFA Cup qualifying round second legs will be played on August 23.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Tuesday, August 7:

Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) v Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Lokomotiv Moscow (Russia) v Tirol Innsbruck (Austria)

Wednesday, August 8:

Galatasaray (Turkey) v Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)

Rangers (Scotland) v Fenerbahce (Turkey)

Red Star Belgrade (Yugoslavia) v Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)

Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) v Celtic (Scotland)

Wisla Krakow (Poland) v Barcelona (Spain)

Halmstad (Sweden) v Anderlecht (Belgium)

Porto (Portugal) v Grasshoppers (Switzerland)

Inter Bratislava (Slovakia) v Rosenborg Trondheim (Norway)

Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) v Panathinaikos (Greece)

Parma (Italy) v Lille (France)

Steaua Bucharest (Romania) v Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine)

FC Copenhagen (Denmark) v Lazio (Italy)

Maccabi Haifa (Israel) v Liverpool (England)

Hajduk Split (Croatia) v Real Mallorca (Spain)

UEFA CUP

Thursday, August 9:

Zimbru Chisinau (Moldova) v Gaziantepspor (Turkey)

Cosmos (San Marino) v Rapid Vienna (Austria)

Pelister Bitola (Macedonia) v St Gallen (Switzerland)

Dinamo Bucharest (Romania) v Dinamo Tirana (Albania)

Olympia Ljubljana (Slovenia) v Shafa Baku (Azerbaijan)

FC Midtjylland (Denmark) v Glentoran (Northern Ireland)

Trans Narva (Estonia) v Elfsborg (Sweden)

Club Bruges (Belgium) v Akranes (Iceland)

Obilic Belgrade (Yugoslavia) v GI Gotu (Faroe Islands)

Brasov (Romania) v Mika Ashtarak (Armenia)

Viking (Norway) v Brotnjo (Bosnia)

CSKA Kiev (Ukraine) v FC Jokerit (Finland)

Vardar Skopje (Macedonia) v Standard Liege (Belgium)

Ventspils (Latvia) v HJK Helsinki (Finland)

Cwmbran Town (Wales) v Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)

Maritimo (Portugal) v Sarajevo (Bosnia)

Fylkir (Iceland) v Pogon Szczecin (Poland)

Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) v Flora (Estonia)

Glenavon (Northern Ireland) v Kilmarnock (Scotland)

SK Tirana (Albania) v AEL Limassol (Greek Cypriot side)

Ararat Yerevan (Armenia) v Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)

Ettelbruck (Luxembourg) v Legia Warsaw (Poland)

Dinaburg (Latvia) v Osijek (Croatia)

Neftchi Baku (Azerbaijan) v Nova Gorica (Slovenia)

Torshavn (Faroe Islands) v Sturm Graz (Austria)

Atlantas (Lithuania) v Rapid Bucharest (Romania)

Puchov (Slovakia) v Sliema Wanderers (Malta)

Longford Town (Ireland) v Lovech (Bulgaria)

Brondby (Denmark) v Shelbourne (Ireland)

Santa Coloma (Andorra) v Partizan Belgrade (Yugoslavia)

Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) v Zalgiris Vilnius (Lithuania)

Shakhtyor Soligorsk (Belarus) v CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria)

MyPa-47 (Finland) v Helsingborg (Sweden)

Dynamo Tbilisi (Georgia) v BATE Borisov (Belarus)

Debrecen (Hungary) v Otaci (Moldova)

Polonia Warsaw (Poland) v TNS Llansantaffraid (Wales)

Birkirkara (Malta) v Lokomotivi Tbilisi (Georgia)

AEK Athens (Greece) v Grevenmacher (Luxembourg)

Ruzomberok (Slovakia) v Belshina Bobruisk (Belarus)

Olympiakos Nicosia (Greek Cypriot side) v Dunaferr (Hungary)

Vaduz (Liechtenstein) v Varteks (Croatia)

-PASSAGE OF GIANT VESSEL SAIPEM 7000 THROUGH ISTANBUL STRAIT

-ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER CAKAN:

-''I BELIEVE THAT BLUE STREAM PROJECT WOULD ACCELERATE ECONOMIC

RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ITALY''

ISTANBUL - Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan said on Monday, ''I believe that the Blue Stream Project would accelerate economic relations between Turkey and Italy especialy in energy sector, and strengthen their cooperation the Caspian Basin.''

Cakan attended a ceremony held at the Ciragan Palace on the occasion of passage of giant vessel Saipem 7000 that will install a pipeline on the Black Sea ground between Turkey and Russia, through the Istanbul Strait.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cakan said, ''the Blue Stream Project started with an intergovernmental agreement signed between Turkey and Russia on December 15, 1997. The project envisages transportation of 16 billion cubic meters of Russian natural gas to Turkey through a pipeline to be installed on the ground of the Black Sea at 2,150 meters depth. The most important characteristics of the project is that Turkey would obtain this amount of natural gas directly from the producer country. There is not any transit country in this project. Therefore, the projects is of great important for the energy security.''

''According to the project, two parallel pipelines will be installed on the ground of the Black Sea. Parallel pipelines prevent problem in case of a possible technical failure. The project is envisaged to be finalized in the first quarter of 2002. The 501-kilometre pipeline between northern province of Samsun and Ankara was finalized,'' he stressed.

Cakan noted, ''this important project has come to the current level as a result of productive and intense works of Turkish and Russian officials and of leading energy institutions of the world like the Eni. I believe that the Blue Stream Project would accelerate economic relations between Turkey and Italy especialy in energy sector, and strengthen their cooperation the Caspian Basin. Meanwhile, energy sector constitutes the main ground of our economic relations with Russia. Our economic relations with Russia will gain a new dimension with the Blue Stream Project.''

-PRIME MINISTER SHARON OF ISRAEL DUE IN TURKEY

ANKARA - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel will come to Ankara on Wednesday.

Sharon's visit to Turkey will be the last ring of a series of intense high- level contacts for the time being.

After election of Ariel Sharon, the leader of Likud Party, as new prime minister of Israel in February of 2001, the first official contact between Turkey and Israel was held with Sharon's Special Representative Meir Rosenne's visit to Ankara.

Rosenne conveyed Sharon's message to Ankara saying acts of violence must come to an end to resume Middle East peace process negotiations.

Meir Rosenne also underlined importance attributed to Turkey by the new Israeli government.

-ARAFAT VISITS TURKEY

Just days after Rosenne's visit to Turkey, President Yasser Arafat of Palestine unexpectedly came to Ankara.

Arafat reiterated that Palestine wanted Turkey to be active in the peace process. He requested Turkey to convince Israel to refrain from extreme use of force and to be respectful to the international law. He noted that he was in favor of putting pressure on Israel to lift economic embargo on Palestine.

-PERES IN ANKARA

Foreign Affairs Minister Shimon Peres of Israel paid a visit to Ankara in April. He assured Turkish officials that the peace process would continue.

Noting that there was not any other alternative except for dialogue, Peres said that economic embargo imposed on Palestine was eased, and added that new negotiations would be held within framework of the United Nations Security Council's resolutions no: 242 and 338.

Expressing its concerns about Israel's tough policy, the Turkish side warned the sides during the meetings, ''escalating tension will give rise to anti-Westernizm in the region.''

Peres also came together with State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy, and informed him on economic program implemented in Israel during his term in office as the prime minister.

-TOWARDS STRATEGICAL PARTNERSHIP

Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer of Israel came to Ankara on a one-day official visit in July. His contacts focused on the issue of putting into practice joint defense projects and further improving strategical relations between Turkey and Israel.

The missile shield program which was planned to be formed against joint threats in the region, was also discussed during Eliezer's contacts in Ankara.

Eliezer stressed that fundamentalist circles' possessing nuclear weapons would pose a threat to whole region and the free world.

He tried to draw Ankara's attention to the nuclear weapons in Iran.

Recalling that regional countries were in the range of Iran's Sahab-3 missiles, Eliezer said that Iran could become a total nuclear power by 2005.

During Eliezer's contacts in Ankara, Arrow missile system, performing joint land maneouvres, modernization of Turkish tanks, sale of unmanned planes, Popeye-2 missiles, military satellites, ATAK assault helicopter project and delivery of anti-tank missiles were taken up.

Eliezer also gave messages about the Middle East peace process. He noted that peace negotiations were halted because of Arafat's attitude supporting terrorism and violence. He stressed that terrorist methods could not send Israel back to the negotiation table.

-MOFAZ COMES TO ANKARA

General Shaul Mofaz, the Chief of Israeli General Staff, came to Ankara at the end of July. His scheduled visit to Ankara had been postponed four times due to security reasons.

During his contacts aiming at improving friendly and good relations in the Middle East, the sides reached full consensus of opinion on strengthening security ties between Turkey and Israel.

The missile shield program was discussed during General Mofaz's contacts in Ankara.

Mofaz pledged to make lobby in the U.S. for participating of Ankara in the Arrow-2 project.

-MANAVGAT WATER PROJECT-

Meanwhile, bargainings about purchase of Manavgat water have been continuing between Turkey and Israel.

Israeli Water Commission Chairman Shimon Tal said that Israel had been waiting for results of the tender for transportation of Manavgat water.

Noting that Turkey offered 15 cents for a cubic metre of water, Tal said that Israil wanted a price less than 10 cent.

He noted that transportation cost would be determant in reaching an agreement between the side.

-INTERNATIONAL FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE

Recently, the U.S. wanted inclusion of Turkey in a group to which American experts would submit their reports following their visit to the region.

According to the proposal, the U.S., Jordan, Egypt, the European Union (EU), Russia, Turkey and Norway take place in the group.

Meanwhile, International Fact-Finding Committee prepared a report after its contacts and observations in the region. The Mitchell Report is regarded as the only solution that would put an end to clashes between Israel and Palestine.

-PRIOR TO SHARON'S VISIT TO TURKEY

Israeli Prime Minister Sharon's visit to Turkey will be the highest-level visit between the two countries.

State-run Israeli television channel underlined importance of Sharon's visit to Turkey.

During his contacts in Turkey, Sharon is expected to seek ways to form a strategical partnership between Turkey and Israel.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abdrabbo asked Ankara to convey some messages to Sharon. These messages are that ''Sharon should put an end to his war crimes against Palestinian people'', ''political negotiations should be resumed'', and ''Israel should allow international observers''.

-ANKARA'S OPINION

Turkey which has undertaking a ''facilitating'' role in the Middle East peace process, believes that Israel should give up use of extreme force, and the only way out of violent atmosphere is the returning of the sides to the negotiation table.

Defending that Mitchell Report should be taken into consideration, Turkey also expends efforts to ease economic embargo imposed on Palestine.

On one hand, Turkey has been further improving its relations with Israel; on the other hand, it has been trying to keep its balace among Israel, Palestine and Arab world.

Within this framework, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem became the first Turkish foreign minister holding an official contact with Egypt-based Arab League.

-GREEK LABOR AND SOCIAL INSURANCE MINISTER FARMAKIS COMES TO AYVALIK

AYVALIK - Greek Labor and Social Insurance Minister Nikos Farmakis came on Monday to Ayvalik township of Balikesir to spend his holiday.

Farmakis who proceeded to Ayvalik from Mythilini Island with a ferryboat was greeted by Ayvalik Chamber of Commerce Ziya Senal with flowers.

Responding to questions of reporters about visa issue, Farmakis said that Turkey and Greece were two neighboring and friendly states.

Noting that it was not true for him to comment on the visa issue, Farmakis said that the issue concerned the Interior Ministry.

Stating that he came to Turkey for the first time, Farmakis said he would tour Bergama, Foca, Izmir and Ephesus and became pilgrim and later he would return to Greece from Ayvalik.

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