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Turkish Press Review, 06-12-04Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning04.12.2006CONTENTS
[01] ERDOGAN MEETS WITH IRANIAN PRESIDENT; DISCUSSES WAYS TO PROMOTE BILATERAL TRADE TIES, IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITYPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, currently in Iran for an official visit, yesterday met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to discuss a number of issues, including bilateral relations. During their meeting, Erdogan and Ahmadinejad discussed ways to boost bilateral commercial ties between the two countries, and issues such as natural gas and energy. For his part, Ahmadinejad stated that he was pleased with Erdogan's visit, adding that he placed importance on developing cooperation between the two countries. For his part, Erdogan said that he appreciated the invitation of Iran and briefed Ahmadinejad on his views about how to solve the standoff over the country's nuclear program. Later, speaking at a press conference after completing his contacts, Erdogan said that Ankara was determined to pursue its relations with Iran without any interruptions, adding that he had discussed with Iranian officials how to eliminate the obstacles to relations between the two countries. "We also discussed the sensitivities of our region," said Erdogan, adding that Ankara placed importance on the territorial integrity of Iraq. "Iranian officials share our view that a division of Iraq would create problems," added Erdogan. /Milliyet/[02] POPE BENEDICT XVI CALLS TURKEY VISIT AN "UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE"Speaking yesterday after returning to Vatican after completing his contacts in Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI evaluated his visit to Turkey, saying that it had been an unforgettable experience. The pope further expressed thanks to the people who organized his visit and the Turkish officials who had played host to him. The pope stated that his visit was a hopeful step in establishing fruitful dialogue with Muslims. The pope further said that he appreciated the Christians who supported him during his visit with prayers, stressing that the visit would bring Christian churches closer and boost dialogue with Muslims. Culture and Tourism Ministry Undersecretary Mustafa Isen said that the pope's visit would help to boost tourism. /Sabah/[03] EDUCATION MINISTER CELIK: "HUMAN CAPITAL IS OUR GREATEST RESOURCE"Education Minister Huseyin Celik said yesterday that human capital was one of a country's most important resources. Speaking at a conference in the southeastern Anatolian province of Batman, Celik said that Turkey had a very young population, which was the greatest asset of the country. "If we educate, train and raise the young people in a healthy way, nothing can stand in the way of Turkey's further development," said the minister. Commenting on public fears that Turkey could lose its freedom when it joins the European Union, Celik said that none of the EU member states had lost their freedom or national distinctiveness. Also attending the openings of new schools in the province, Celik pledged to invest in Batman to raise educational standards. /Turkiye/[04] SWEDISH FM DUE IN ANKARA TODAYSwedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt is due today to arrive in Turkey for an official visit. During his short stay in Ankara, Bildt is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Turkey's European Union chief negotiator Ali Babacan to discuss Turkey's EU bid. During the meeting, Gul is expected to tell Bildt that the EU Commission's recent decision recommending partial suspension of Turkey's talks was unacceptable and that it needed to be softened. In related news, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Latvia during last week's NATO summit, told Erdogan that there was no need to worry about the EU decision, saying that it was even "beneficial." Erdogan said that as a former head of the EU Commission, Prodi had experience with the issue. /Star/[05] BABACAN: "TURKEY WILL BE EUROPE'S SIXTH-LARGEST ECONOMY"State Minister and chief negotiator for European Union accession talks Ali Babacan said yesterday that Turkey would be the sixth-largest economy in Europe when it becomes a full EU member. Appearing on television yesterday, Babacan stated that Turkey would be different from other member states in terms of its economy, demographics, culture, politics, geography and social structure. Pointing out that Turkey had implemented a number of reforms since it began its EU talks 14 months ago, Babacan said that Turkey had a very bright future. Commenting on the EU Commission's advisory decision to suspend talks on eight chapters, Babacan said the decision had not been made official yet, adding that problems in any one chapter didn't affect the others. Furthermore, Babacan said that the Cyprus issue should not have any effect on Turkey's EU membership process. He also underlined that the issue needed a comprehensive settlement under the auspices of the United Nations. /Sabah/FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... [06] WE CAN COPE WITH 2007BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on Turkey's relations with the EU, focusing on Canakkale. A summary of her column is as follows: "We should ask ourselves what has happened since the European Union decided to start membership talks with Turkey. It was written and said that the Cyprus issue would obstruct the process and that the only solution to stop it would be accelerating reforms. This warning was ignored, no serious effort was made for Turkey's domestic problems, and criticisms made by different sectors of the nation were passed over. However, politicians are responsible for finding a consensus which would relieve everybody, aren't they? Yes, but the government chose to do nothing due to next year's elections. The problem with Article 301 came up because of the media, but the government only said that it would consider how the law is applied. The lack of a social democratic movement which would create a momentum for reform is more bad luck for us. Relations with the EU have already been frozen since June. The search for a way out is still ongoing, but the outcome of the leaders' summit to be held on Dec. 14-15 won't change this situation either. Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and certain EU countries are even trying to toughen the commission's suggestions. They want to give Turkey an ultimatum saying that if we don't open our harbors and airports to the Greek Cypriot administration by a certain period of time, the entire process would be suspended. Obviously, Turkey can't and won't take a step concerning the Cyprus issue. There's a broad public consensus on this issue, and the Greek Cypriots have lost their European card. They can't continue their policy of putting pressure on Turkey with the trump card of a process which has been halted. Things for the EU to do on Turkey next year have already been postponed, because such influential European countries as France and Germany aren't in a good place for this. France is getting ready for the next year's elections, Germany is preparing a new proposal for the EU constitution and Greece also has elections next year. The period until 2008 is a great opportunity for us to produce our own solutions. What's happening in Canakkale is a good example of this. Although Canakkale is one of the most important cities which has left Turkey's mark on world's history, this city is reached only with great difficultly. It's on the shores of an important strait which connects the cold sea to the warm one. It's also one of the most important harbors of the northern Aegean, but it has yet to prove its value in the maritime business, trade or tourism. However, the first ro-ro (roll on, roll off) ship left for Italy yesterday from a harbor built in Kepez thanks to the efforts of non-governmental organizations, businessmen, universities and local leaders. In addition, domestic flights started to Canakkales. Canakkale is now opening to the world. This is a beginning and an important step for in the city's history. This is an example which shows that the criteria of civilization can be reached through out own power and wide-ranging cooperation. We should use this example for 2007, put ourselves in order, and find solutions to our problems." [07] FROM THE VATICAN TO IRANBY CAN DUNDAR (MILLIYET)Columnist Can Dundar comments on secularism in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "In 1969, then Turkish President Cevdet Sunay visited Iran. The shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, made a gesture and invited him to a luncheon. After praising Turks, the shah said the following: ‘Secularism was perhaps necessary in the early years of the Turkish Republic, but we don't believe that there's any need to continue with this principle in the same way. We even see that secularism is damaging Islam. We managed this (issue) by giving money to religious people in Iran. I wish you would also remove secularism from your Constitution.' The diplomats were astounded and the eyes turned to Sunay, who replied, ‘Secularism in Turkey harms neither Islam nor the Turks. Secularism is not a principle against religion. Turkey giving up secularism is inconceivable. After your frank words, I also would like to give you a piece of advice: I see that the Iranian military is dependent on you. If something happened to you, it would fall apart. My sincere advice would be to make your military the military of your people.' Ten years later, the shah had to leave Iran and the military was dissolved, as Sunay had warned. And the religious people that the shah gave so much money to took over the government. (‘Behind the Scenes in Our Foreign Policy,' Fahir Alacam, Edited by Tuthan Firat Umit.) It's interesting that the pope, when he was flying to Turkey from Rome, echoed the shah's words. ‘In establishing the republic, Ataturk took the French Constitution as a model,' he said. "Secularism, which divides public life from traditional values, is a dead end. We have to redefine secularism in such a way that it determines the mutual responsibility of religious and public places.' Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week met with the head of a religious state, the Vatican, and then went to Iran, another religious state. One is Christian, the other Muslim. Both question Turkey's secularism. And Turkey is continuing with this principle which many said wouldn't work. Turkey is not a model only to countries of the region but to the entire world. Turkey demonstrates its difference to the world by welcoming the pope, who once fomented a fanatical conflict between the two faiths. Even if it has some problems, Turkey's secularism is not a weak one. Even if Europe excludes Turkey, it will continue with it in peace with traditional values. And I'm sure that the world will need his type of secularism more than ever in a clash of civilizations. From the Vatican to Iran…" Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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