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Turkish Press Review, 05-05-31Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr><LINK href="http://www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css/tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> e-mail : newspot@byegm.gov.tr <caption> <_caption> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning31.05.2005FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNSCONTENTS
[01] ERDOGAN MEETS WITH US SENATORPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday received US Senator Chuck Hagel. Present also at the one-hour meeting were Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and US Deputy Commander for US Forces in Europe Gen. Charles Wald. Bilateral relations, regional issues, as well as the fight against terrorism and the Cyprus issue were reportedly taken up during the talks. Hagel stated that US officials were looking forward to Erdogan’s planned US visit next week. In addition, the Turkish premier praised President George W. Bush and the US Congress’ recent stance against the Armenian genocide allegations. /Star/[02] PREMIER ERDOGAN TO VISIT THE US NEXT WEEKDetails of the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s planned visit to the US have been settled. Erdogan will leave for the Washington at the beginning of next week. A number of topics, including the Greater Middle East (GME) Initiative, the Iraq issue, and recent developments in the Caucasus, Afghanistan and the Middle East are expected to dominate the talks between Erdogan and US President George W. Bush on June 8 at the White House. Furthermore, Erdogan will reiterate Ankara’s concern over the PKK terrorists in northern Iraq and urge Bush to launch an immediate US operation against them. Erdogan then is set to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss the Cyprus issue. He will underline that the Greek Cypriots’ stance is far from a settlement, and ask Annan to make efforts to end the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. Erdogan is set to be accompanied by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler as well as State Ministers Ali Babacan and Kursad Tuzmen. /Turkiye/[03] GUL SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH THE GCC, BAHRAINTurkey and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) yesterday signed a framework cooperation agreement that will pave the way for a free trade deal. On his visit to Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating GCC presidency, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday was received by the king of Bahrain, Hamad Ben Issa Al-Khalifa, and signed a deal with the GCC to boost economic ties between Turkey and the GCC comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Gul and his counterpart Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa also signed a memorandum of understanding which grants visa waivers for the citizens of the two countries. Both foreign ministers underlined that the agreements will boost bilateral relations between Turkey, Bahrain and the GCC. /Aksam/[04] CICEK: “FRENCH REFERENDUM IS NOT A PRECONDITION FOR TURKEY”Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said yesterday that the result of Sunday’s referendum in France on the European Union Constitution was no surprise for Turkey. “The referendum in France, of course, is not a precondition for Turkey’s beginning EU accession talks,” said Cicek. Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Cicek said that Ankara would continue to move ahead, adding that the country was focused only on Oct. 3, the date Turkey’s talks are to begin. Cicek added that the Cabinet ministers had discussed issues concerning local administrations, saying that when a bill on the topic is enacted, local administrations’ budgets would rise 25%. /Turkiye/[05] TURKISH, TRNC LEADERS TO DISCUSS CYPRUS ISSUEIn the runup to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit next week to the US, a summit on the Cyprus issue is planned for Ankara this Thursday. Present at the gathering will be Erdogan, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, and from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), President Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas. The top leaders from both countries are expected to establish a common policy for possible developments on the Cyprus issue. /Hurriyet/[06] US CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VISITS THE TRNC, DESPITE GREEK CYPRIOT OPPOSITIONA United States congressional delegation yesterday arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). As the only two US congressmen to enter the island through the TRNC since the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation, the trip headed by Republican Congressman Ed Whitfield is seen as a crucial step towards ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. The congressmen first met with US Ambassador to Greek Cyprus Michael Klosson and then TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat. The visit caused anger among the Greek Cypriot community, and Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos was outraged that the delegation flew directly into the TRNC, claiming that the trip was in breach of both international and US laws. "We have been in discussions with the [US] National Security Council and the US Department of State and we've been assured by everyone that there is not anything illegal about going into Northern Cyprus directly," Whitfield said. "The Turkish Cypriots voted overwhelmingly for reunification on the Annan plan. The Greek Cypriots voted against it. The entire international community supported reunification and the Annan plan and statements have been made by the UN representatives as well as in the US and elsewhere that steps should be taken to remove the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots." Whitfield also called on Papadopoulos to stop blocking the EU’s financial aid efforts to the TRNC. For his part, Talat called on Washington to support the peace efforts on the island. In addition, UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast yesterday arrived in Greek Cyprus to listen to both sides and to gauge if there is common ground to resume negotiations on the island. He will proceed to the TRNC tomorrow. /Cumhuriyet/[07] GEN. OZKOK: “THE EU IS STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERCOME ITS CURRENT PROBLEMS”The European Union is a large, strong institution, said Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday, adding, “Although the French no to the EU constitution is currently a big problem, I believe that the bloc is strong enough to overcome it.” Gen. Ozkok yesterday visited the southern province of Mersin and met with Governor Atilla Osmancelebioglu. Ozkok stressed his belief in Brussels’ ability to surmount the current constitution crisis. /Cumhuriyet/[08] TURKISH BUSINESS COMMUNITY URGES ANKARA TO STAY CALM AND COMMITTED TO ITS ULTIMATE GOALFollowing the French “no” to the European Uniýon’s constitutional treaty, representatives of the Turkish business world yesterday called on the government to act with common sense and remain committed to its ultimate goal without being deterred by the latest development. Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that he did not expect Turkish-EU relations to be hurt by the French rejection, as Brussels had already set a date for the beginning of Ankara’s membership talks. “The EU has its own mechanisms to overcome such problems, ” he added. “I don’t believe that the enlargement process will be influenced by the result of the French vote.” A written statement by the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) echoed Hisarciklioglu’s remarks, stressing that Turkish businessmen do not believe that Turkey’s EU membership bid will be affected by the development. “Our government should remain committed to its target and work harder to achieve it,” the statement added. In addition, the heads of both the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) called on Ankara to assume a calm stance and continue on its path. /Hurriyet/[09] KRETSCHMER: “THE RESULT OF THE FRENCH VOTE WON’T AFFECT TURKEY”Hansjoerg Kretschmer, head of the European Commission Delegation to Turkey, yesterday stated that Turkey’s EU membership bid wouldn’t be affected by Sunday’s French referendum and any possible ruling party changes in Europe. Stressing that Turkey has yet to complete the EU’s required political criteria, Kretschmer said, “If Turkey manages to fulfill two criteria, its membership talks will begin on Oct. 3 as specified. First, a number of laws including the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK) should go into force, and second Ankara must sign the Ankara Agreement’s protocol extending its Customs Union.” /Hurriyet/[10] EUROPEAN COMMISSION: “THE FRENCH ‘NON’ WON’T AFFECT TURKEY’S BID”European Union Commission spokesman Francoise Le Bail yesterday indicated that there is no direct relationship between Sunday’s French referendum and Turkey's membership bid. Le Bail said that the decision for enlargement was taken by the EU's highest-ranking institution, the European Council, and that Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Croatia will become members once they fulfill the EU requirements and criteria. ''The enlargement process is going on with full steam based on the decision of the European Council,'' he added. /Aksam/[11] STRAW: “TURKEY WILL BEGIN ITS EU TALKS ON OCT. 3”British Foreign Minister Jack Straw yesterday telephoned his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul to reassure him of British support for Ankara to begin its European Union accession talks on Oct. 3, as settled at last December’s EU summit. Straw reportedly stressed that his government did not approve of the discussions on Turkey’s membership in France. For his part, Gul reiterated Turkey’s determination to implement its reforms on the road to EU harmonization and to begin membership talks. /Turkiye/[12] TOP GREEK DIPLOMAT: “THE FRENCH NO VOTE ISN’T OPPOSED TO TURKEY”Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis said yesterday that France had rejected not Turkey, but the European Constitution in Sunday’s referendum. Stylianidis said that maybe some of the French public wanted to reject Turkey, but that Europe would make its decision concerning this issue later. “If Turkey feels rejected by Europe, it might return to its past wish to become a regional power. This might have a negative impact on Turkish-Greek relations,” he warned. /Milliyet/[13] SENER: “WE SHOULD BRACE FOR UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS”There can be unexpected developments in the process of our European Union membership bid, warned State Minister Abdullatif Sener at a meeting at the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) yesterday. “This result shouldn’t be seen as a surprise,” added Sener, speaking of the French rejection of the EU constitution in Sunday’s referendum. “Our EU membership process is a long process, and it is continuing.” /Sabah/[14] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS[15] THE FRENCH SHIELD BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)Columnist Derya Sazak comments on the French rejection of the European Union constitution and its possible impact. A summary of his column as follows:“The French rejection of the EU constitution by about 55% to 45% caused hesitation and disappointment about the EU’s future. People are discussing the fallout of the vote, which also concerns Turkey. I talked to German Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Volker Ruhe during last year’s NATO summit in Istanbul. Back then there was more than six months to the Dec. 17 summit and everybody was saying that even if membership negotiations start with the EU, Turkey might face serious problems before 2010 or so. As if he guessed the current situation, the experienced German politician said, ‘Those who reject Turkey’s EU membership will hold a referendum in 2005-2007. They will use the EU Constitution as a shield.’ When the French people rejected the European Constitution, the political will they showed is certainly an expression of a resistance against the policy of enlargement which also includes Turkey. Obviously, domestic political factors, French President Jacques Chirac’s weakness, the negative impact of the EU ideal on social policies, sovereignty, fear of unemployment and concerns on the future of the agriculture were major reasons for this rejection. When Chirac said, ‘The EU will continue its road under the same conditions, ’ he tried to shake off the referendum, but obviously the French people have passed through a historic threshold. The French rejection is expected to create a domino effect in other EU member countries which will hold a referendum as well. If the early elections decision taken by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder causes the Christian Democrats to come to power this fall, the new German leadership led by Angela Merkel might have a state of mind similar to France and try to redefine the ‘core Europe.’ The model envisaged for Turkey would be a ‘privileged partnership.’ Maybe it’s too early to talk about these issues. Turkey’s EU membership negotiations to start in October might not be influenced by today’s ill winds. However, it’s also clear that nothing will be the same with France’s decision. Those who govern Turkey should clarify their minds concerning the EU. How can an EU journey be possible with a political power which is trying to permit religious groups to give Koran courses? If this situation continues, we might run into trouble before our EU membership.” [16] IT’S NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)Columnist Oktay Eksi comments on how, according to him, French people like to say “no” to almost everything. A summary of his column is as follows:“Our Ambassador in Paris Uluc Ozulker was saying the other night that the most favorable reply for a Frenchman was always ‘no,’ and that French culture was based on ‘no.’ As you know, on Sunday the French nation rejected the European Union constitution by a majority of 55%. French President Jacques Chirac tried very hard to head off this result, but the French rallied around his rival, ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party leader Nicholas Sarkozy. The French nation’s rejection of the EU constitution is very important for us from the standpoint of the EU’s future and that of Turkey’s EU membership process. Of course, this result gave the EU a slap in the face. However it has overcome so many problems since its establishment that it would be ridiculous to say that this will be the end of the EU. Moreover... French culture is inclined to say ‘no’ as I said above, but later you can see that the same nation will agree to say ‘yes’ on the same subject. Some say that those who are against Turkey’s EU membership heavily influenced the ‘no’ vote. Efforts to prevent Turkey’s EU membership are gaining strength not only in France, but also in Germany. And if this autumn Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel wins the German elections and becomes chancellor, this front will grow much larger and stronger. However, despite all this we favor continued optimism. The opposition and tricks that have been played up to now were not successful in preventing the decision that our membership negotiations can start this October 3. Let’s say Sarkozy and Merkel come to power soon. How many years will they stay in power? One or two terms? And until that time, it would not be possible to make Turkey a member even if they wanted to. When time comes for this subject to be handled seriously, who knows what will happen?” ARCHIVE <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript" src="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_statistic/countcode.js"> </script> Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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