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Turkish Press Review, 05-06-17

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: 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 morning

17.06.2005

FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...

CONTENTS

  • [01] ERDOGAN CALLS FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN ARAB COUNTRIES
  • [02] ERDOGAN, PUTIN WORK TO RESOLVE VEGETABLE IMPORT BAN
  • [03] GUL: “TURKISH-US RELATIONS ARE BASED ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS”
  • [04] GERMAN PARLIAMENT PASSES BILL ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN MASSACRE
  • [05] SCHROEDER DEFENDS TURKEY’S FULL EU MEMBERSHIP TRACK
  • [06] BABACAN TRAVELS TO BRUSSELS FOR EU SUMMIT
  • [07] TRNC’S TALAT: “IT’S HIGH TIME THE EU MADE A DECISION”
  • [08] FORMER PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO TRAVEL TO BULGARIA
  • [09] OECD’S COTIS: “FOREIGN INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE IN TURKEY IS GROWING”
  • [10] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [11] SEZER IS RIGHT AGAIN BY HALUK SAHIN (RADIKAL)

  • [01] ERDOGAN CALLS FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN ARAB COUNTRIES

    Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday delivered an opening speech at the Arab Economic Forum in Beirut, Lebanon, as an honorary guest and the sole premier from a non-Arab country invited to the 25-nation gathering. Stressing that regional countries should implement reforms and encourage development and progress, Erdogan called for more economic cooperation and investment between Turkey and Arab countries. In addition, he called on the leaders to cooperate for the sake of regional stability and peace. Erdogan also had talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Premier Najib Mikati. After completing his contacts, Erdogan returned to Turkey last evening. /Turkiye/

    [02] ERDOGAN, PUTIN WORK TO RESOLVE VEGETABLE IMPORT BAN

    Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Beirut for the Arab Economic Forum, yesterday spoke on the telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Russia’s recent temporary ban on imported Turkish fruits and vegetables. The two leaders agreed that ministers from both countries would meet to resolve the issue. Erdogan reportedly told Putin that the problem stemmed from discrepancies in plant health certificates and asked for his efforts to end the ban. /Star/

    [03] GUL: “TURKISH-US RELATIONS ARE BASED ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS”

    Soon-to-depart US Ambassador to Ankara Eric Edelman yesterday hosted an early reception marking July Fourth, the United States’ Independence Day. Hailing Turkey as a "source of inspiration,” Edelman said that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had created a modern Turkey from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. The US will always support Turkey’s democratization efforts, he added. For his part, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that the countries’ bilateral relations were based on common values such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Gul thanked Edelman for all his contributions during his tenure in Ankara to strengthening relations between Turkey and the US. State Ministers Besir Atalay and Mehmet Aydin, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Yigit Alpogan, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ali Tuygan, Turkey's Special Envoy to Iraq Osman Koruturk and Motherland Party leader Erkan Mumcu also attended the reception. /Hurriyet/

    [04] GERMAN PARLIAMENT PASSES BILL ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN MASSACRE

    The German Parliament yesterday adopted a resolution denouncing the so- called massacre of up to 1.5 million Armenians during the Ottoman Empire era. The Bundestag unanimously called for the "sincere reappraisal" of what happened in the final days of the Ottoman Empire, and adopted a joint motion by all parliamentary groups to recognize the incidents. The resolution charged that the Turkish government had neglected to address the issue and called on the German government to ensure that the Turkish Parliament, government, and society reappraise their role towards the Armenian people without prejudice. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul denounced the resolution as "irresponsible, appalling and injurious.” "We note this decision with regret and we strongly condemn it," said a Foreign Ministry statement. “The text is biased, contains serious errors and misinformation, and its approval will deeply wound the Turkish people." The statement also added that Turkey "has opened up its archives to all researchers, including Germans and Armenians, on the premise that historical events can only be assessed by historians, not by parliaments." /All Papers/

    [05] SCHROEDER DEFENDS TURKEY’S FULL EU MEMBERSHIP TRACK

    German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder yesterday argued that a Muslim but secular country like Turkey should absolutely join the camp of the Western Enlightenment. Addressing Germany’s Parliament, Schroeder underscored the importance of Turkey’s membership, arguing that concerns about Turkey’s upcoming membership talks are baseless. “Turkey might become a full EU member if it fulfills all of the required criteria and overcomes the Cyprus problem,” he added. “Risks pertaining to Ankara’s talks might be controlled, and negotiations might be suspended whenever necessary.” For her part, opposition Christian Democratic Union head Angela Merker reiterated her party’s well-known position that Turkey should be offered a “privileged partnership” rather full membership. Merkel called on Turkey to solve its problems concerning Cyprus and Armenia by Oct. 3, when the country’s membership negotiations are expected to begin. In addition, Ulrike Hauer, head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey for the Economy, said that Turkey had recently shown great progress both in its macro- economic stability program and structural reforms. /Aksam/

    [06] BABACAN TRAVELS TO BRUSSELS FOR EU SUMMIT

    State Minister Ali Babacan, who was recently appointed as Turkey’s chief negotiator for its European Union talks, yesterday traveled to Brussels to hold contacts with EU officials as part of this week’s EU summit. After meeting with EU commissioners Margot Wallstroem and Jose Manuel Barbaso, Babacan told reporters that their talks had focused on Turkey’s political and economic reforms. He further stressed that all the needed reforms had been enacted since last December’s summit and that Ankara would be ready for its talks by Oct. 3. /Star/

    [07] TRNC’S TALAT: “IT’S HIGH TIME THE EU MADE A DECISION”

    Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat stated yesterday that the negotiations in Brussels over financial aid and direct trade with his country had yet to show any positive results. “The Greek Cypriots still oppose direct EU trade with Turkish Cypriots and don’t want us to use our ports for international commerce,” he said. “It’s now high time for Brussels to decide whether or not it will submit all of its decisions to Greek Cyprus for approval. That’s the point.” /Cumhuriyet/

    [08] FORMER PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO TRAVEL TO BULGARIA

    Former President Suleyman Demirel is set to fly to Bulgaria today to attend a Balkans Political Club meeting in Sofia. He will address the meeting concerning infrastructure in the Balkans and integration into the European Union. In addition, during his two-day stay, Demirel is expected to have talks with high-level officials of Balkan countries, including Bulgaria. /Turkiye/

    [09] OECD’S COTIS: “FOREIGN INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE IN TURKEY IS GROWING”

    Owing to Turkey’s success at meeting its fiscal targets, foreign investors’ confidence in the Turkish economy is growing, OECD Chief Economist Jean- Philippe Cotis said yesterday. Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul prior to the general council meeting of the OECD Industry and Business World Consultation Committee, Cotis remarked that a 6 percent growth rate was both realistic and sustainable for Turkey. For his part, OECD Secretary General Donald Johnston praised Turkey’s successful reforms and fiscal policy. Both Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu and Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’ Association (TUSIAD) head Omer Sabanci emphasized that the European Union needs to include Turkey to increase its own economic strength. /Hurriyet/

    [10] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [11] SEZER IS RIGHT AGAIN BY HALUK SAHIN (RADIKAL)

    Columnist Haluk Sahin comments on a constitutional amendment for the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK). A summary of his column is as follows:

    “President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is right again, because he is prioritizing not political interests, but the law. This time Sezer is right on the constitutional amendment for the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK). Under the amendment, the RTUK would from now on consist of members selected by political parties. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) would name six members and the opposition Republican People’s People (CHP) would chose three. In other words, members elected by the ruling party would be in they majority and they would be able to impose their ideological views on TV programs. However, the Constitution stipulates that the RTUK must be autonomous and impartial. For this reason, the European Union criteria stipulate the autonomy and impartiality of such institutions. If our membership negotiations with the EU start and the issue is discussed, there might be requests from the Turkish government on the subject. Sezer, defending the rule of law, vetoed the amendment for just this reason. Parliament then debated the issue again and made a decision. Now Sezer has no other choice but to put the issue before the public. I think Sezer should ask the public if they want politicians to decide what they will watch on television. When Sezer was vetoing it, he stated in his justification, ‘This is opening the way for political partisans to be able to become RTUK members, because it is known that generally such partisans are preferred in elections in Parliament’s General Assembly. Obviously, a method ensuring the election of politically biased figures to RTUK wouldn’t be appropriate.’

    Any citizen knowing just a little about the law and the history of radio and television in Turkey would agree with Sezer. However, following Sezer’s veto, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said, ‘We don’t agree with justification. The president was elected by this Parliament as well. If you don’t trust the politicians and the Parliament of this country, how can you hold up our democracy?’ Isn’t it demagoguery to consider the selection of experts outside politics for autonomous institutions as a lack of confidence in Parliament? Turkey’s history of radio and television shows that our politicians can’t resist trying to influence communications institutions. They can’t help themselves and so they intervene. Our tradition of respecting autonomous institutions is very weak. You will see that Sezer is right again.”

    ARCHIVE

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