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Turkish Press Review, 06-05-30
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
30.05.2006
FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER TO HOST DINNER FOR VISITING SWEDISH MONARCHS
[02] ARINC: “TENSION SHOULD BE REDUCED”
[03] ISRAELI FM LIVNI VISITS TURKEY
[04] CICEK: “PUBLIC PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES WILL GET A PAY RAISE”
[05] RICE’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR VISITS TURKEY
[06] FORMER GERMAN FM: “TURKEY’S LARGE SIZE SCARES EU CITIZENS”
[07] TURKISH-US STRATEGIC VISION PAPER OMITS PKK ISSUE
[08] EU SET TO OPEN FIRST CHAPTER OF NEGOTIATIONS
[09] IRTEMCELIK IN ANKARA AFTER INCIDENT WITH ERDOGAN
[10] ISTANBUL CELEBRATES 553RD ANNIVERSARY OF CONQUEST
[11] UNAKITAN: “TURKEY IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM HOW IT USED TO BE”
[12] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…
[13] FRESHENED PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA (SABAH)
[01] SEZER TO HOST DINNER FOR VISITING SWEDISH MONARCHS
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is due today to host a dinner for Sweden’s
King Carl Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia, who arrived in Ankara yesterday.
Under a Swedish tradition, Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia will then host a
dinner for Sezer. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General
Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and foreign ambassadors in Ankara are also expected
to be invited to the latter dinner. /Milliyet/
[02] ARINC: “TENSION SHOULD BE REDUCED”
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said yesterday that tension in society
should be reduced and people should not lose hope. Speaking to reporters
about the recent bloody attack on Council of State judges, Arinc said that
the attack was carried out against the secular republic and judiciary,
adding that security forces are doing their best to unravel the incident.
Meanwhile, the speaker said that radical changes would be made to
Parliament’s bylaws through a 103-article bill. The bill proposes that
Parliament work four days a week rather than three. During the first 20
days of a month, the deputies would deal with legislation, while in the
last 10 days, Parliament would recess to allow deputies to return to their
constituencies. /Turkiye/
[03] ISRAELI FM LIVNI VISITS TURKEY
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, visiting Turkey in her first official
visit abroad, yesterday sought Turkish support for her government’s
unilateral withdrawal plan from the Palestinian territories, but was
politely turned down by her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul. To Gul’s
remarks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, “This will also be negotiated
and mutually discussed through dialogue. The roadmap and UN documents will
be the guide for this,” Livni responded, “We can’t wait forever.” During
her meeting with Gul, the Arab-Israeli dispute and regional issues were
debated. The top Israeli diplomat was also received by President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Livni also met with
National Security Council (MGK) Secretary-General Yigit Alpogan.
/Cumhuriyet/
[04] CICEK: “PUBLIC PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES WILL GET A PAY RAISE”
Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Justice Minister and government
spokesman Cemil Cicek said that a bill on improving the conditions of
public prosecutors and judges has been discussed at the meeting, adding
that the salaries of these jurists would be raised. Saying that a bill to
that end had been sent to Parliament, Cicek stressed that under the measure,
the salaries of judges at all levels would be increased. Asked whether the
Anti-Terror Law, which was sent to Parliament some time ago, had been
forgotten, Cicek said that deputies were working hard to pass the law by
the end of June before they go on recess. /Aksam/
[05] RICE’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR VISITS TURKEY
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s Technology and Science Advisor Dr.
George Atkinson, in Ankara upon the invitation of the Scientific and
Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), yesterday said that
international relations carry great importance for progress in science and
technology. Atkinson stressed that science sets the public agenda and added,
“Science isn’t only important for scientists, but also for ordinary people.
Science and technology in international relations determines the course of
politics and the economy.” /Aksam/
[06] FORMER GERMAN FM: “TURKEY’S LARGE SIZE SCARES EU CITIZENS”
Speaking at a conference in Zurich yesterday, Former German Foreign
Minister Joschka Fischer said that Turkey was size “XXL” for the European
Union, adding that this scared EU citizens. “Turkey should explain itself
to EU citizens, especially Austrians and Germans,” he said. “You have
success stories and should tell these stories in the EU. If you do this,
this will help to dispel prejudices.” Fischer stressed that he had always
supported Turkey’s EU bid, adding that he wanted the EU to join the Union.
“But I also understand criticisms of Turkey,” he said. “You shouldn’t be
emotional about these criticisms. Just persuading the governments isn’t
enough, you should also win over EU citizens about your membership.”
/Hurriyet/
[07] TURKISH-US STRATEGIC VISION PAPER OMITS PKK ISSUE
The issue of the terrorist PKK will reportedly not be mentioned directly in
an upcoming Turkish-US strategic vision paper. A high-level source stated
that the PKK issue would be worked on separately, adding, “The name of the
terrorist group may not appear directly in the document. But cooperation on
the PKK with the US will continue.” Work on the strategic vision paper has
reportedly been completed, with only approval of the document pending. The
countries were unable to reach full agreement on the terrorist PKK, so it
does not appear in the document, which will determine common steps between
the two countries. In the document, the countries state their agreement on
Cyprus and this statement appears: “The US supports Turkey’s action plan
and shares the view that the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots
should be abolished.” /Cumhuriyet/
[08] EU SET TO OPEN FIRST CHAPTER OF NEGOTIATIONS
The first signal that a new era is set to begin on June 12 with the EU has
been given. During a European Union foreign ministers’ meeting over the
weekend, a decision was made towards opening the first chapter of
negotiations with Turkey on June 12, following the screening process now in
progress. The final decision will be taken during the European Union
ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg on June 12 and if the decision is approved,
the EU plans to open talks on the science and research chapter during the
Turkey-EU Partnership Council meeting the same day in Luxembourg. /Star/
[09] IRTEMCELIK IN ANKARA AFTER INCIDENT WITH ERDOGAN
Having been publicly scolded by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan when
the premier mistakenly believed that Turkey’s embassy in Germany refused to
serve women wearing headscarves, Turkish Ambassador to Germany Mehmet Ali
Irtemcelik arrived in Ankara over the weekend. He is said to be in Ankara
in preparation for an official visit by German Foreign Minister Walter
Steinmeier, who is expected to arrive in Turkey later this week. After
having talks at the Foreign Ministry, Irtemcelik met with President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. He is expected to meet
with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul this morning. Main opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul Deputy Ali Riza Gulcicek submitted a question
motion to Parliament yesterday asking Erdogan whether it was his habit to
scold ambassadors who represent the republic abroad, while CHP Ankara
Deputy Yakup Kepenek asked whether Erdogan had the right to publicly scold
the ambassador. /Turkish Daily News/
[10] ISTANBUL CELEBRATES 553RD ANNIVERSARY OF CONQUEST
Celebrations were held in Istanbul yesterday marking the 553rd anniversary
of the city’s conquest by the Ottomans. Greater Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas
said that the conquest of Istanbul by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror
had closed one era and opened a new one. Both President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued messages in honor of the
anniversary. Sezer stated that it was Turkey’s responsibility to protect
the heritage of all civilizations that the city of Istanbul has played host
to during its long history. /Turkiye/
[11] UNAKITAN: “TURKEY IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM HOW IT USED TO BE”
Speaking at the opening of a panel yesterday, Finance Minister Kemal
Unakitan said that the government had made large structural reforms, adding
that Turkey was very different from how it used to be. “If high budget
deficits continue, this could hurt our economy,” warned Unakitan. “If we
continue our structural reforms and fiscal policies, then our nation will
see better days.” /Hurriyet/
[12] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…
[13] FRESHENED PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA (SABAH)
Columnist Muharrem Sarikaya comments on Turkish-Russian relations. A
summary of his column is as follows:
“Washington is concerned about a Russian monopoly over the region’s energy.
Does Ankara also have the same concern? Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov’s visit to Turkey tomorrow and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s
scheduled visit to Moscow show that Turkey doesn’t have such a concern.
Both sides are looking for methods to pave the way for intensive
cooperation. A partnership document was signed during the visit of Russian
President Vladimir Putin to Ankara. A new partnership document is planned
which strengthens the partnership. The same effort can also be seen in
Moscow. The reason for this is the speedy improvement of relations between
the two countries over the last 15 years. As examples, take the
approximately 2 million Russian tourists who visit Turkey every year, and
the trade done by Turkish businessmen.
According to leading Turkish-Russian businessman Ali Ihsan Ahiskali, the
current situation will bring developments in Turkey’s interests. One of the
most important developments is the employment of the Turkish labor force in
Russia. ‘The European population is growing older and needs working young
people,’ said Ahiskali. ‘Russia is in the same boat. Furthermore, due to
its development, Russia needs a new labor force. The EU and Russia will
turn to Turkey for their labor needs.’ Turkey has to think 10 years ahead
and implement exports of labor and capital together. As a matter of fact,
the first signs of this are coming. The number of Turkish workers and firms
in Russia has reached 40,000 and 400 respectively.
Another interesting development is that Russians are starting to learn
Turkish. Turkish language and culture centers are being established in many
universities. One shouldn’t think that Turkey would allow a Russian energy
monopoly in the region. There is also no such expectation in Moscow.
However, also nobody should expect from Turkey that it would waste its
years of effort to become a terminal for energy. It is inevitable that the
partnership between the leading countries in the region will develop
further. The effort for developing the partnership document also reflects
this.”
ARCHIVE
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