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Turkish Press Review, 96-09-04Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>CONTENTS
TURKISH PRESS REVIEWWEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 1996Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning[01] ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITS ANKARAItalian Prime Minister Romano Prodi visited Turkey yesterday to observe the changes and developments since the establishment of Islamist-led government in Turkey. Prodi, a former advisor of the late President Turgut Ozal, is the first European leader to visit Ankara since the establishment of the new government here. Italy is Turkey's second-largest European trade partner after Germany. During its presidency of the EU, Italy supported Turkey's bid to enter the Customs Union.Prodi met with President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan and with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller. At a joint press meeting with Prodi, Erbakan said that the Turkey-Italy trade volume would be doubled. He pointed out that the two countries were allies with many points in common. Erbakan said that the two prime ministers decided to improve relations between the Christian world and the Islamic world. "We agree on the need for dialogue and cooperation between the Christian world and the Islamic countries. He (Prodi) said that he would work to improve the ties between the Vatican and Islamic leaders. This is an important decision for the peace of the world" Erbakan said. During his one-day visit, Prodi was accompanied by Undersecretary of the Italian Foreign Ministry Boris Biancheri, General Secretary for Economic Affairs Roberto Migino and adviser Enzo Perlot. /All papers/ [02] CILLER CANCELS HER VISIT TO JORDANForeign Minister Tansu Ciller yesterday postponed her planned trip to Jordan because of recent incidents in Iraq. The decision was made after late-night meetings on Monday to review events in neighbouring Iraq. /All papers/[03] TURKEY TO EXTEND $20 MILLION LOAN TO UKRAINEA $20 million Eximbank loan will boost bilateral trade between the Ukraine and Turkey, State Minister Ayfer Yilmaz said yesterday. She also said that the two countries were expected to sign a free trade agreement and pointed out that relations which depend only on political ties are not long-lasting. Yilmaz said Turkish banks will be encouraged to open branches in the Ukraine. Foreign Trade Deputy Undersecretary Bulent Sahinalp said the trade volume may be increased by product variation.The delegation will stay in the Ukraine until September 5. Later in the month, the same delegation will travel to China to promote trade ties with the most populous nation in the world. /All papers/ [04] TEKFEN WINS AZERI CONTRACTSAZFEN, the joint company set up between TEKFEN contracting and installation company and the Azerbaijan State Petroleum Company (SOCAR), won two contracts in the Sangachal Plant project. The first project will cover the construction and testing of the mechanical system as well as the construction of pipeline and control systems for the Sangachal early petroleum production plant. The project begins in September and will be completed in August 1997.The second project includes the construction of a pressure-resistant petroleum tank for the Sangachal plant and will be completed in June 1997, according to a statement released by Tekfen. Meanwhile, it is reported that from the political and economic standpoint the most appropriate route to export Azeri oil is Baku-Ceyhan. An article in the Azadlik newspaper published in Azerbaijan noted that the Baku-Ceyhan route had no alternative according to political analysts and experts. The article pointed out that even though the Iran route is more appropriate than others from the economic standpoint, it has been taken off the agenda because of political reasons. /Sabah/ [05] 42 MILITANTS KILLED IN CLASHESTurkish troops killed 42 militants of the PKK terrorist organization in separate clashes as part of a stepped up military activity near the northern Iraqi border, officials announced yesterday. The regional governor's office in Diyarbakir said three soldiers also died during the clashes. The government increased military measures in the southeastern region, fearing the PKK militants would take advantage of turmoil in northern Iraq where they keep bases for hit-and-run attacks inside Turkey.Meanwhile, 150 terrorists who penetrated Turkey from Iran on 1 September fired with automatic weapons on Kapi and Cilli Gendarmarie Stations. Three soldiers were martyred and five PKK terrorists were killed. A military vehicle which came to help hit an anti-tank mine. Seven soldiers in the vehicle died while the terrorists managed to escape. /Cumhuriyet-Sabah/ [06] CALL FROM US TO KURDISH LEADERSThe US State Department has sent out a call to Kurdish leaders to come together with US representatives and Turkey to resolve the current fighting in northern Iraq.In a message to Foreign Minister Ciller just prior to the US missile attack against Iraq yesterday, the US administration noted Turkey's support for the US and Turkey's vital role in the region. The message said that the US "would work with Turkey to resolve the problems in the area and seek solutions to the Kurdish question." /All papers/ [07] IRAQ CRISIS AFFECTING TURKEYThe so-called "election missile attack" against Iraq by the US is bound to have negative results where Turkey is concerned. Similarities between the current situation and the Gulf War are already being noted, this especially so where the opening of the overland Kirkuk-Yumurtalik oil pipeline is concerned.Between them, the US and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have dealt a severe blow to Turkish trade and economic hopes of renewing trade with Iraq. Reports confirm that the oil pipeline will not be reopened and that once again Turkey will miss out. In the six years since the Gulf War, the Turkish economy has lost fifty billion dollars and now looks set to lose a lot more. Turkey was hoping to earn 500 million dollars from the reopening of the pipeline following UN agreement on allowing Iraq to sell a limited amount of petrol on world markets. /All papers/ [08] INCIRLIK BASE ON ALERTWith tension growing in Iraq, security at Incirlik base near Adana has tightened up. US personel at the base have had all leave stopped.Foreign Minister Ciller also in response to the worsening situation has sent out warnings to Iraq that Turkey expects Baghdad to protect Turkey's interests in the region. Ciller has not suggested however that Turkey will go beyond normal diplomatic initiatives to resolve problems in Iraq. /All papers/ [09] TURKEY, TRNC SIGN ACCORD FOR COOPERATION ON OPEN SEASTurkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) signed an accord yesterday for cooperation in rescue efforts on the open seas. Signing the accord, Taner Etkin, foreign and defence minister of the new coalition government of the TRNC, said it demonstrated a new example of close cooperation and solidarity between Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot people in all areas. Etkin said irrespective of their nationality, status and the situation they are in, all kinds of maritime vessels in need of help would benefit from the accord. He said as a result of the accord Turkish rescue and salvage capabilities will be at the disposal of the Turkish Cypriot state and to all those in need of help on the open seas. Turkish Ambassador Aydan Karahan, who signed the accord for Turkey, said in keeping with the accord, a rescue and salvage centre will be established in northern Cyprus.[10] IT IS EASY TO GO TO GEORGIAAn agreement regarding Customs Passage Points between Turkey and Georgia has been ratified. Furthermore, a Council of Ministers decision regarding the ratification of a protocol for cooperation in energy between the Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and the Georgian Petroleum and Energy State Company has been issued in the Official Gazette.According to the agreement regarding the Customs Passage Points between the two countries, the two sides will open the passage points of Sarp(Turkey)-Sarpi(Georgia) and Posof, Turkgozu(Turkey)-Akhaltsikhe (Georgia). The agreement will be effective for five years and will be renewed for each new five-year period automatically. /Sabah/ END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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