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Turkish Press Review, 03-08-07
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
07.08.2003
FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER APPROVES SEVENTH EU HARMONIZATION PACKAGE
[02] ANKARA, TRNC TO SIGN CUSTOMS UNION AGREEMENT
[03] ALIYEV LEAVES TURKEY FOR TREATMENT IN UNITED STATES
[04] BAHRAIN’S FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS TURKEY
[05] TERRORISTS ATTACK IN MARDIN CLAIMS TWO POLICEMEN
[06] PETKIM SALE CANCELLED AS UZAN GROUP FAILS TO FULFILL REQUIRED CONDITIONS
[07] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[08] A NEW ERA IN AZERBAIJAN BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[01] SEZER APPROVES SEVENTH EU HARMONIZATION PACKAGE
Following its passage late last month by Parliament, President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer yesterday signed into law the seventh European Union harmonization
package. The package mainly introduces changes to the structure of the
National Security Council (NSC) among other measures, including one on the
activities of foundations, the fight against terrorism, the Turkish Penal
Code (TCK), preventing torture, and education in mother tongues. Under the
law, appointment of the NSC secretary-general will henceforth be done
through the president approving a candidate proposed by the prime minister.
/All Papers/
[02] ANKARA, TRNC TO SIGN CUSTOMS UNION AGREEMENT
Turkey is expected sign a customs union agreement with the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) at a Partnership Council meeting tomorrow. Under
the agreement, goods produced in the TRNC, which is currently under
economic embargo, will be able to be exported to Europe via Turkey. In
related news, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said yesterday that the
expected trade pact with the TRNC would not contradict the provisions of a
similar agreement between Ankara and the European Union. “This agreement
will, I hope, contribute to finding a lasting solution to the Cyprus
problem,” added Gul. /Cumhuriyet/
[03] ALIYEV LEAVES TURKEY FOR TREATMENT IN UNITED STATES
After nearly a month of medical treatment at Ankara’s Gulhane Military
Hospital, Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev yesterday was flown to
Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States to receive treatment there. In
related news, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters that the
decision to travel to the US for treatment belonged to Aliyev and his
family alone. Stressing that Azerbaijan was a sovereign country, Gul said
that no one should expect it to be the scene of chaos. /Turkiye/
[04] BAHRAIN’S FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS TURKEY
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa yesterday
arrived in Ankara to pay an official visit. Al Khalifa was received by
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and then met with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul
as well as Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head
Rifat Hisarciklioglu. Following the meetings, Gul told a joint press
conference that the two countries enjoyed friendly relations and would work
to strengthen their ties. For his part, Al Khalifa stressed that agreements
signed during his visit would further the development of bilateral
relations. Regarding the Iraq issue, both leaders stated that the country
was part of their mutual neighborhood, adding that they hoped for an end to
the violence there and the beginnings of civil governance. In addition, Gul
told reporters that no decision had yet been made on sending Turkish troops
to Iraq and that officials were continuing to evaluate all sides of the
question. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] TERRORISTS ATTACK IN MARDIN CLAIMS TWO POLICEMEN
A group of terrorists attacked a police checkpoint in the southeastern
Anatolian province of Mardin last night, in the process killing two police
officers, Ramazan Yazici and Mursel Hacioglu. The bombing attack came on
the same day a repentance law designed to encourage terrorists to lay down
their arms was signed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. In related news,
more than 250 terrorists surrendered to Turkish security forces yesterday
to appeal for lenience under the repentance law. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] PETKIM SALE CANCELLED AS UZAN GROUP FAILS TO FULFILL REQUIRED
CONDITIONS
The High Board of Privatization (OYK) yesterday cancelled the sale of an
88.86% stake in state petrochemical concern Petkim to Standard Kimya
(Chemical), a division of the controversial Uzan Group, due its failure to
fulfill required conditions specified in the contractual agreement. In June,
the company made the highest bid ($605 million), one which many observers
charged was too low, in an auction for the sale of the state concern. The
decision came as a fresh blow to the Uzan family, which in recent days has
seen its appeal to have its assets unfrozen rejected by a Swiss court and
has also been ordered by a US court to pay out $4.2 billion and a 3_4 share
of its GSM operator stock over alleged illicit financial transactions. The
Uzans have also faced a number of financial setbacks this year over what
the Turkish government has charged is mismanagement and fraud at power
stations, banks, and media holdings, and so have had considerable
difficulty acquiring the necessary fiscal guarantees for the Petkim deal.
/Cumhuriyet/
[07] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[08] A NEW ERA IN AZERBAIJAN BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on a change in the leadership of Azerbaijan
and Turkey’s stance towards this. A summary of his column is as follows:
“Turkey already has its hands full with such foreign policy issues as Iraq,
Cyprus and the US, and now it has to deal with the Azerbaijan issue. The
Caucasus was calm until recently, and thanks in large part to the
importance attached by Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev to Turkey,
relations between Ankara and Baku have established an ‘axis of friendship,’
one including strategic cooperation. Unfortunately, Aliyev is currently
very ill and so can never return to the helm of the state. In this respect,
the appointment of his son Ilhan Aliyev as prime minister can be seen as a
first stage in moving into the ‘second Aliyev era.’
It’s important for us that Azerbaijan get through this transition without
any hitches and continue the stability and speedy political and economic
development accomplished by Aliyev. Ankara doesn’t want a contrary
situation, that is, a political power vacuum in Azerbaijan and the sowing
of chaos through the manipulation of domestic and foreign players. Besides
our common history, culture, religion and values with the Azerbaijani
nation, we also share vitally important geostrategic and economic
interests. Azerbaijan is the cornerstone of Turkey’s foreign policy in the
Caucasus. Thus, it’s important for Ankara that the change of power in
Azerbaijan should happen calmly and that the new administration continue
its policies vis-a-vis Turkey with the same understanding.
The new situation in Azerbaijan requires that Turkey proceed very
carefully. Naturally, Ankara wants the continuation of both stability and
democracy in Azerbaijan. In other words, Turkey, an aspiring ‘model
country’ and regional power, should help to promote democratic values and
norms in such situations. Ankara should also signal that it wants to
continue its ‘special relationship’ with the new administration in
Azerbaijan along the same lines.”
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