Read about Imvros and Tenedos: Violations of the Lausanne Treaty Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-06-23

Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.com.tr/>

Anadolu Agency

ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

23 JUNE 2001 Saturday

-TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 23, 2001. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

SHE ALSO LED TO CLOSURE OF FP

Nazli Ilicak, a deputy of the banned Virtue Party (FP), led to the closure of the party by her extreme actions against secular republic. The Constitutional Court decided on Friday to close down the FP. The deputyships of Nazli Ilicak and Bekir Sobaci were ended. The Constitutional Court also banned Merve Kavakci, Nazli Ilicak, Bekir Sobaci, Ramazan Yenidede and Mehmet Silay from politics for five years. The claim that the FP was the continuation of the Welfare Party (RP) was rejected by seven to four votes.

TWO NEW PARTIES TO REPLACE FP

Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the traditionalist wing of the banned Virtue Party (FP), and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the reformists, will set up their new political parties in two weeks. Recai Kutan, the former leader of the banned FP, is thought as the future leader of the new party of the traditionalist wing while Erdogan is predicted to be the leader of the new party of the reformists. If a problem resulting from political ban is faced, Abdullah Gul will be the leader of the reformists. The former deputies of the FP will be separated into two political parties.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FP DOES NOT HAVE ANY PROPERTIES

The Virtue Party (FP) gave the title dees of all its properties in the FP center to its members. Thus, there is nothing that will be given to the state.

HE DISTRIBUTES A BAG OF MONEY TO PEOPLE

Arif Korkut, a guard at the Kocamustafapasa branch of Emlakbank, took 32 billion Turkish liras (TL) from the bank by gunforce and distributed it to the passers-by. Sources said that Korkut was depressed due to the closure of the bank. Only 4.3 billion TL was returned to the bank.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

NO EARLY ELECTION

There is no need to hold an early election since only the deputyships of two members of the Virtue Party (FP) were ended. Thus, the markets have been revived. As the deputyships of Nazli Ilicak and Bekir Sobaci were ended, the number of empty chairs at the parliament reached 10. Since the number of empty chairs did not reach 28, there is no more need for an early election. Since the mass resignation of the members of the banned FP requires a consent of the parliament, an early election is not possible.

ILICAK TO BE TRIED ON CHARGES OF 11 CRIMES

As the deputyship of Nazli Ilicak has been ended, she will be in front of the court on charges of 11 separate crimes. These crimes include insulting the government, army, parliament and public officials and unveiling the state secrets.

TANSU CILLER WINS LOTTERY

A hundred Virtue Party (FP) deputies became independent by the decision of the Constitutional Court. Thus, the True Path Party (DYP) headed by Tansu Ciller became the only opposition party at the parliament. Moreover, the DYP became the main opposition party and Ciller became the leader of the main opposition party.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

RECAI KUTAN: ''IT IS AGAINST PRINCIPLE OF PLURALISM''

Recai Kutan, the leader of the banned Virtue Party (FP), claimed that the decision of the Constitutional Court to close down their party is against the principle of pluralist democracy and that this was a stroke on Turkey's European Union (EU) process. Kutan said that they think of applying to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

SEZER SAYS IT IS DECISION OF JUDGMENT

WHILE ECEVIT SAYS HE IS SORRY ABOUT CLOSURE OF FP

President Ahmet Necdet said that closure of the Virtue Party (FP) was judgment's decision so he couldn't say anything. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who said that he was sorry that the Virtue Party (FP) would be closed down, noted, ''some articles in our Constitution make party closures too easy.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)

EU CAUTIOUS

Karen Fogg, the European Union (EU) Commission's Representative to Turkey, said that they were sorry about the court decision to close down the Virtue Party (FP) but that how this decision will affect the economic program is more important.

EARTHQUAKE ROCKS AEGEAN AND MARMARA

An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale rocked the Aegean Region on Friday. There were no reports of casulties in the earthquake which was felt in the Aegean and Marmara regions. The earthquake was centered on Savastepe township of Balikesir province in the Marmara Region. But, the earthquake also jolted Bursa province in the Marmara Region and Izmir, Manisa, Canakkale, Kutahya and Usak provinces in the Aegean Region.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

REACTIONS TO CLOSURE OF FP

The U.S. said that the closure of political parties is against international democracy rules while the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) said that it would be better if the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) was waited.

HISTORICAL RUINS FOUND DURING SUBWAY CONSTRUCTION

An underground city belonging to the Byzantine era was found during the subway construction in Istanbul. The ruins were of the ''Forum Bovis'' square which is mentioned in history books but which has not been unearthed until today. Now, the subway construction is under discussion.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

OPPOSITION IS CLOSED DOWN

The Constitutional Court decided to close down the Virtue Party (FP) by 8 votes in favour to 3 against votes due to the statements and actions of five FP members, including two deputies, who were not at the administration of the party.

HERE ARE WORDS THAT LED TO CLOSURE OF FP

Nazli Ilicak, a deputy of the banned Virtue Party (FP), said, ''when the FP becomes the ruling party, this headscarf oppression will be solved. The FP deputies wearing headscarves will enter into the parliament.'' Another FP deputy Bekir Sobaci said, ''they dismissed our girls who would become doctors in three months, from the schools.''

PLOTS BELONGING TO TREASURY TO BE SOLD

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit announced that the immovable assets of the state will be sold to find source. Ecevit said that 1 million 200 thousand plots of the Treasury will be sold.


CONTENTS

  • [01] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: -''TARGET OF GOVERNMENT IS GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT''
  • [02] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: -''TURKEY WILL NOT MAKE CONCESSIONS OF SECURITY OF STRAITS''
  • [03] TURKEY-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION TO HOLD 47TH MEETING IN BRUSSELS
  • [04] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: -''OUR RELATIONS WITH GREECE ARE IN A REGULAR DEVELOPMENT COURSE''
  • [05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''NOTHING IS AS IMPORTANT AS LIFE, PEOPLE AND BREAD'' (1)
  • [06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS THEY SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEM IN RAPPROCHMENT PROCESS (2)
  • [07] FINAL DECLARATION OF ECONOMIC SUMMIT SAYS BOTH SIDES PROPOSE THAT THEY WANT TO HEAR VOICE OF SEAGULLS RATHER THAN NOICE OF WAR PLANES
  • [08] CEM AND PAPANDREOU GIVE MESSAGE THAT THEY DO NOT REFRAIN FROM HANDLING VITAL PROBLEMS
  • [09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: -''THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN POINT OF VIEW OF TWO COUNTRIES. THESE DIFFERENCESCAN BE ELIMINATED BY COMMUNICATION AND BY SINCERITY''

  • [01] STATE MINISTER DERVIS: -''TARGET OF GOVERNMENT IS GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT''

    DENIZLI - State Minister Kemal Dervis said on Saturday that the target of the government is growth and employment.

    Dervis, who visited Denizli Governor Yusuf Ziya Goksu, said that macro- economy is the precondition of employment.

    ''To this end, we have exerted all our efforts to re-provide public finance balance, to remove negativeness in finance sector, and to lay the groundwork for a betterment in balance of payments in the last three months, '' Dervis also said.

    Dervis noted that they have reached success by the support of the parliament and the nation.

    ''Today, the negativeness in public finance which was faced in March and April has been removed. We have taken serious steps towards a strong structure in a debt transformation which was settled on a balance. We will give priority to real economy in the following months. We will also aim to start growth in the second half of the year. Exportation and tourism have important functions in this process and they will act like an engine,'' Dervis said.

    Dervis stated that they want to listen to the members of the chambers of commerce and industry and the workers to learn their problems and went on saying, ''to this end, the Treasury Undersecretary and I am here. We will take notes and then discuss them with our colleagues in Ankara. We will debate concrete steps and rapid steps towards real economy in the following weeks.''

    Macro-economic stability is the main condition of real economy, Dervis pointed out.

    Dervis continued, ''it is not possible to allocate a non-existing source to real economy or any other sector. We should utilize an existing source. We should stress on Eximbank loans, export supporting measures, overcoming obstruction in Value Added Tax (VAT) return, and serious agricultural measures. We should continue to help banking sector. The banking sector, having a robust structure, should serve better to real economy. The public banks will be at a better situation in respect of liquidity as of the beginning of July.''

    All the personnel of the public banks are under guarantee, Dervis said.

    Dervis also said, ''there is not any difference among the personnel of the Emlak Bankasi, Halk Bankasi and Ziraat Bankasi. All their rights will be reserved. We are trying to make the public banks serve better to Turkey and real economy. At the same time, we should lift the burden on the public finance. We are waiting for the support of the public. We should solve the public banks problem.''

    Denizli is a city of industry but that agriculture and industry support each other in this region, Dervis said and emphasized that agricultural reforms are needed.

    It is important to have a better and competitive structure in agriculture, Dervis noted.

    Dervis stressed that developments in tourism sector are pleasing and said that if projects are fulfilled, annual tourism revenues can increase by 20 percent.

    Asked if the closure of the Virtue Party (FP) will affect foreign support to economic program, Dervis said, ''we have always tried to separate the political factors from economic factors in our economic program deliberations. The government does not want any foreign finance institution to intervene in Turkey's internal affairs. I have never permitted it. Economic affairs is one thing and political affairs is another. The organizations which provide loans for Turkey have the right to ask questions about economic management, budget and economic problems.''

    Dervis added, ''this is the same in all parts of the world. To this end, they are asking how we will use the loan and we respond to them. But, our internal policy should be excluded from economic discussions and deliberations. It is not a right thing to take them together. We should respect to the decision of jurisdiction. There is no doubt that closure of a party in a democracy is a saddening incident. But, we should respect to judgment in a state of law.''

    [02] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU: -''TURKEY WILL NOT MAKE CONCESSIONS OF SECURITY OF STRAITS''

    ANKARA - State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu said on Saturday that Turkey will not make concessions of security of straits from now on.

    Mirzaoglu told A.A correspondent that Turkish straits have already exceeded the safe passage capacity and that the only aim of Turkey is safe transition through the straits.

    They have received information that the nuclear wastes that are planned to be transported through the straits belong to Germany, France and the Netherlands, Mirzaoglu said.

    Mirzaoglu noted that approximately, 50 thousand ships passed through the Istanbul and Canakkale Straits in 2000 and that the straits have exceeded the approximate ship traffic capacity.

    The amount of oil, oil products and hazardous materials which passed through the straits in 2000 was around 86-90 million tons, Mirzaoglu pointed out.

    Mirzaoglu stated that the amount Kazakh oil that is planned to be transported through the straits in the first year is 60 million tons and that this amount will be increased by 50 percent the following year.

    The Kazakh press published news items that the Turks did not permit transportation of Kazakh oil through the straits, Mirzaoglu said.

    Mirzaoglu continued, ''the nationality of the oil passing through the straits does not concern us. Turkish straits have exceeded the safe passage capacity. Turkey, the only aim of which is ensuring security of transition, will not make concessions. The measures that Turkey has taken or will take will serve increase of security of life, property, environment and cruising rather than increasing capacity.''

    Giant oil companies are lobbying in the International Maritime Organization to provide oil transportation through Turkish straits, Mirzaoglu pointed out.

    Mirzaoglu went on saying, ''who force us is not countries like Russia or Kazakhstan but giant oil companies that have commercial worries. Especially, international companies that own giant tanker fleets try to provoke kinsmen countries. The statements of the oil companies that Turkey tries to prevent transportation of oil produced in these countries to world markets do not reflect realities.''

    Russia plans to pass nuclear wastes of the European countries through Turkish straits and preserve them in return for money, Mirzaoglu said.

    Mirzaoglu noted that they have received information that the wastes which are predicted to be around 2 thousand tons belong to Germany, France and the Netherlands.

    They will launch initiatives to make countries that sell nuclear wastes withdraw from their agreement with Russia after this issue is illuminated by the Foreign Ministry, Mirzaoglu said.

    Mirzaoglu said, ''the prosperous countries aim to send nuclear waste which can no more be used and which is a risk for their own people to countries like Russia, which are in need of money. The Foreign Ministry said that these wastes are planned to be transported in two years or more than that.''

    Whether they are mentioned in international agreements or not, the protection of human health is ranked the first, Mirzaoglu emphasized.

    Mirzaoglu added, ''transportation of nuclear wastes through Turkish straits cannot be based on principle of serving humanity. Concessions cannot be made and this is not a issue which has flexibility. This is an implementation which contradicts with the value given to the human life in western countries. Turkey has to increase current measures regarding security of life, property, environment and cruising. Any commercial worries cannot be ranked before the security of life, property and environment.''

    [03] TURKEY-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION TO HOLD 47TH MEETING IN BRUSSELS

    ANKARA - Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) will hold its 47th meeting in Brussels, Belgium between June 26 and 27.

    A statement of the parliament said on Saturday that a delegation headed by Kursat Eser, the Co-president of the Turkey-EU JPC, which is comprised of Ayfer Yilmaz, Ismail Bozdag, Ali Tekin, Yasar Eryilmaz, Mehmet Arslan, Mehmet Kocabatmaz, Mustafa Yaman, Sacit Gunbey, Ilhan Akuzum, Remzi Cetin and Sait Deger will represent Turkey at the meeting.

    The delegation will leave for Belgium on Sunday and visit some prisons in Brussels and Cologne on June 25.

    The Association Council meeting will start with the speeches of ambassador Nihat Akyol, on behalf of Turkey; G. Lund, the Ambassador of Sweden, the Term President of the EU, on behalf of the Association Council; and Eneko Landaburu, the General Director Responsible for the enlargement of EU, on behalf of the Commission.

    Following the JPC meeting which will be held on June 27 and at which Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will deliver a speech on behalf of Turkish government, co-presidents Eser and Cohn-Bendit will hold a joint press conference.

    Eser told reporters that this meeting will be held when two sides are facing intensive days.

    ''On one hand, Turkey is continuing initiatives to comply with Copenhagen criteria and trying to implement a comprehensive reform program following the recent economic crisis on the other hand, the EU is discussing future of the union and dealing with problems faced during enlargement process,'' Eser said.

    Eser continued, ''at the JPC meeting which will be held immediately after the Turkey-EU Association Council meeting, we will exchange views about Turkey's implementation of National Program, Pre-Accession Strategies for Turkey, Turkey's inclusion in programs for candidate states like ISPA and SAPARD, visa procedures, and free movement of people.''

    ''Moreover, further institutionalization of relations between the parliament and European Parliament in the pre-accession process, future of EU, and situation of Turkey in enlargement process will be debated. A group comprised of Turkish members of JPC will visit some prisons in Cologne, Germany, and Brussels, Belgium, before the meeting to see the situation of prisons in EU countries,'' Eser added.

    [04] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: -''OUR RELATIONS WITH GREECE ARE IN A REGULAR DEVELOPMENT COURSE''

    SAMOS - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Saturday that Turkey's relations with Greece are in a regular development course.

    Cem, who is in Samos Island to attend the Third Turkey's Aegean Coasts and Greece's Aegean Coasts Economic Summit Meeting, told reporters that this is the first time that a Turkish Foreign Minister comes to a Greek island by a boat.

    They approach to Turkish-Greek relations with seriousness, Cem said.

    Cem noted that two years have passed since his Greek counterpart George Papandreou and he launched the rapprochment between Turkey and Greece.

    ''We can consider these developments as a success. Many significant developments have been marked,'' Cem said.

    Cem noted that 208 businessmen attended the summit and that this could not even be imagined two years ago.

    ''Turkey and Greece have found their common interests and launched initiatives. This is the main reason of this successful course. We have marked serious distance. We may face some unexpected problems in the future but we should not feel sad. Where the line and relations is going is important,'' Cem said.

    Asked when Cyprus and Aegean issues will be discussed, Cem said, ''it will not be so difficult to discuss the Aegean issue because the Aegean issue is not a hard issue as the Cyprus issue. Cyprus issue is harder than the Aegean issue for both of the countries. The issues concerning the Aegean can be debated earlier. But, Cyprus question is a hard issue.''

    Responding to a question about border trade and visa facilitations for Greek islands, Cem said, ''my colleague Papandreou is trying to enable this visa to be granted. He brought this issue to the European Union (EU). He will make a statement about this issue on Monday. We expect this. He said that the Schengen agreement has some legal problems. Papandreou is exerting utmost efforts but there is not a hope inspiring development for the time being.''

    Cem said that commercial relations have been further improved in two years and that the trade volume, which was around 550-600 million U.S. dollars two years ago, almost reached 1 billion U.S. dollars.

    Turkish and Greek businessmen have made joint investments, Cem noted.

    Kusadasi and Samos became sister cities, Cem emphasized, and added, ''our people are doing all these. Our duty as politicians is not to overshadow these. Relations between two countries are in a positive course. We have made many agreements. We often look behind to see whether we can further improve our cooperation. We decided to clear Thrace from landmines two months ago. This is a very small thing. But, we often think what else we can do.''

    [05] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: ''NOTHING IS AS IMPORTANT AS LIFE, PEOPLE AND BREAD'' (1)

    SAMOS - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Saturday that nothing is as important as life, people and bread.

    Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou delivered speeches at the closing session of the Third Turkey's Aegean Coasts and Greece's Aegean Coasts Economic Summit Meeting held in Samos Island.

    Papandreou said that Turkey and Greece look at the problems between themselves calmly for the time being and that he believes that permanent friendship can be established between two countries.

    Bilateral relations are still overshadowed by some problems, Papandreou noted.

    Papandreou stated that there is a difference today because they see the problems in a different way and that they will solve their problems without any fanaticism.

    They are experiencing an increasing confidence, Papandreou said, noting that it is true that there is a new beginning.

    Papandreou emphasized that two nations do no more want conflicts and that what is wanted is experiencing a different European reality.

    Noting that this process could not be experienced without Ismail Cem, Papandreou emphasized that Cem worked so much for this target.

    Cem said that there are some problems between two countries and that some circles makes criticisms that important issues are not debated.

    Cem added, ''what can be more important than the security of our people. We have taken many measures to build confidence in recent two years and we continue to do so. Nothing is as important as life, people and bread.''

    (To be continued)

    [06] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAYS THEY SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEM IN RAPPROCHMENT PROCESS (2)

    SAMOS - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Saturday that Turkey and Greece should have confidence in them in the rapprochment process.

    Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou delivered speeches at the closing session of the Third Turkey's Aegean Coasts and Greece's Aegean Coasts Economic Summit Meeting held in Samos Island.

    Foreign Minister Cem said that Turkey and Greece are exerting efforts to take steps in a realistic ground during the rapprochment process.

    ''This is not easy. We will sometimes face problems. We should have confidence in ourselves,'' Cem said.

    Cem noted that reaching a success in an incident to which he has made contributions as a politician is the biggest award for him and that artists and sportsmen continue to contribute to cooperation between Turkey and Greece.

    People are curious when some important problems between Turkey and Greece will be dealt with, Cem said.

    Cem noted that what is important is to take steps in a realistic ground.

    Papandreou and he made a statement in New York two years ago, Cem said, noting that they have marked many developments since that day.

    The good willed and realistic approach is the two important factors in this process, Cem stated.

    Cem pointed out that everything cannot be achieved immediately and that they firstly deal with common interests rather than problems.

    If you have confidence in your interlocutor, you can walk half of your path, Cem said.

    Cem continued, ''most important, we have confidence in common sense of our nation by taking into consideration the right point in this hard process. Time has shown that we were not wrong.''

    If Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis had not contributed, this process would have never been achieved, Cem said.

    Cem added that he believes that problems will be overcome with good will and honesty.

    Papandreou said that Turkish and Greek businessmen showed how the cooperation should be made and that he will go to Luxembourg on June 25.

    He will debate visa exemption for Turkish citizens who want to have touristic excursions to the Greek islands with the European Union (EU), Papandreou noted.

    Papandreou said that he wishes to reach success in this issue but that they will continue their initiatives regardless of the result.

    What could not be done for 40 years between Turkey and Greece has been achieved in recent days, Papandreou stated.

    Papandreou noted that his country supports Turkey's Europe perspective and that it transfers its experiences to Turkey.

    This is a hard process, Papandreou said, but they know that it is positive.

    Papandreou noted that it will take some time but that this is a development which is for the benefit of two nations.

    Some people said that ''positive atmosphere was created psychologically by this meeting'', Papandreou said.

    Papandreou stated that he is agaist this idea because some concrete results were reached at the meeting.

    Chambers of commerce of two countries have brought forward concrete proposals and serious development has been marked in economic relations, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou noted that Turkish and Greek nations who live at the border know each other and that they know that the region is impoverished during tension and enriched during rapprochment period.

    Nikolaos Sifounakis, the Greek Minister of the Aegean, drew the attention to positive process following earthquake disasters and said that Cem and Papandreou had contributions to this process.

    (End)

    [07] FINAL DECLARATION OF ECONOMIC SUMMIT SAYS BOTH SIDES PROPOSE THAT THEY WANT TO HEAR VOICE OF SEAGULLS RATHER THAN NOICE OF WAR PLANES

    SAMOS - The final declaration of the Third Turkey's Aegean Coasts and Greece's Aegean Coasts Economic Summit Meeting said on Saturday that the Turkish and Greek businessmen want to hear the voice of seagulls rather than noice of war planes over the Aegean Sea.

    The final declaration was issued in the end of the summit held in Samos Island. It was signed by Ekrem Demirtas, the chairman of Izmir Chamber of Commerce, and Themistokli Papatheofanes, the chairman of Samos Chamber of Commerce.

    The final declaration said, ''both sides proposed that it should be announced that initiatives of foreign ministers of Turkey and Greece for solution of problems and permanent friendship are important, that we should thank and support the ministers, and that we want to hear the voice of seagulls rather than noice of war planes over the Aegean Sea.''

    Local administrations and chambers of commerce and industry support rapprochment between two nations and promotion of relations, the final declaration noted.

    To this end, they attribute importance to business trips and institutional contacts, the final declaration pointed out.

    The final declaration said that ''cooperation'' and ''dialogue'' were the expressions which were reiterated the most at the summit due to the delayed Turkish-Greek rapprochment.

    ''Besides the commercial relations, we wish that the social and cultural relations will be further improved and social rapprochment will be accelerated,'' the final declaration stated.

    The final declaration, which stressed that necessary initiatives to start direct flights from Izmir to Athens and Salonica at least two days will be launched, included 32 recommendary decisions.

    The final declaration added that the fourth summit will be held in western Bodrum township in 2002 and the fifth in Crete in 2003.

    [08] CEM AND PAPANDREOU GIVE MESSAGE THAT THEY DO NOT REFRAIN FROM HANDLING VITAL PROBLEMS

    SAMOS - Foreign Minister Cem and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou gave on Saturday the message that they do not refrain from handling vital problems.

    Cem and Papandreou held a joint press conference following the Third Turkey's Aegean Coasts and Greece's Aegean Coasts Economic Summit Meeting.

    Responding to a question about when the vital problems between two countries will be solved, Cem said, ''we have not discussed some important issues in details. But, we have launched initiatives to solve some other important problems.''

    Cem, who listed these problems into three categories, one of which is security issue and said that Turkey and Greece have marked developments by the confidence-building measures related with security.

    Recently, they foresee that landmines in Thrace should be cleared, Cem noted and expressed hope that this will be achieved.

    Cem stated that another problem between two countries is ''bread'' and that commercial relations have been improved as rapprochment process was launched.

    Cem, who defined the third problem as ''life'', said that efforts have been launched to solve this problem.

    ''We are not escaping from problems and turning a blind eye to them. Some problems in the Aegean issue are considered as different by two countries. The correct approach is two countries' being careful about sensitiveness of the other. What should be done is to put forward the things that can be done by understanding each other rather than trying to be the superior. There is a possibility to reach that point. It may not be today or tomorrow but it is more possible when compared with two years ago,'' Cem said.

    Responding to a question, Papandreou said that they support Turkey's European Union (EU) process and that they will continue to do so.

    Papandreou noted that they know that this process is not easy from their own experiences.

    They know that there will be people who want to obstruct Turkey's path but that Turkey's EU process is for the benefit of two countries, Papandreou stated.

    Papandreou said that Ismail Cem will be in Luxembourg at the beginning of next week and 15 EU ministers will meet with Cem.

    Some issues regarding Turkey's EU process will come to the agenda, Papandreou noted and added that they will talk about these issues in Luxembourg.

    Papandreou noted that they do not escape from vital problems as Cem said and that they achieve many things by their initiatives.

    They put forward their common interests and they have some commercial deals, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou noted that all these are important, adding that he believes that they approach to solution as this process continues.

    Diplomatic sources said that Cem's visit to Samos is important because Cem is the first Turkish Foreign Minister who visits a Greek island.

    [09] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: -''THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN POINT OF VIEW OF TWO COUNTRIES. THESE DIFFERENCESCAN BE ELIMINATED BY COMMUNICATION AND BY SINCERITY''

    SAMOS - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Saturday that there are differences in point of view of Turkey and Greece.

    Cem and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou held a joint press conference following the Third Turkey's Aegean Coasts and Greece's Aegean Coasts Economic Summit Meeting.

    Foreign Minister Cem said that these differences can be eliminated by communication and by sincerity.

    Papandreou said in his part that local administrators and non-governmental organizations of Turkey and Greece tried to give constructive messages at the summit.

    Sincerity of two nations is the main principle of two foreign ministers, Papandreou noted.

    Papandreou stated that local administrators have provided a good approach at the summit and positive results have been taken at the end of the meeting.

    They have called Cem to Samos to contribute to this cooperation and to enable its continuation, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou noted that they have taken very significant steps in recent two years.

    Beneficial results were taken and agreements were signed at the end of the initiatives of Cem and himself, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou pointed out that they know that some problems occur in this process but that they have to provide the continuation of this process.

    The seriousness of problems should not prevent this, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou noted that the olive oil that they planted today was not only a symbol and wished that chambers of commerce will exert more efforts to promote relations.

    He will especially support cooperation between two regions, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou stated that cooperation in the region will be reflected on cooperation of two countries and expressed belief that this process will be accomplished.

    Cem said that his contacts with his Greek counterpart have become regular and that this is very important.

    They have the opportunity to review the initiatives that have been exerted at these regular meetings, Cem noted.

    Cem continued, ''we discuss how we can solve some problems like visa and clearing the landmines and what we can do about these issues. Another issue is international issues concerning two countries. For example, developments in Macedonia closely concern both countries. We debate these issues in a comprehensive way. The deliberations were beneficial. We will continue our discussions tomorrow. We will also hold a press conference tomorrow.''

    Responding to a question about border trade limitations and visa issue, Papandreou said that there is not any reason not to increase commercial relations because there is the Customs union.

    There may be problems in practice like bureaucratic process, customs, local authorities and problems among businessmen, Papandreou noted.

    Papandreou stated that we can help as much as we can if local authorities and businessmen inform us about their problems.

    For example, people demand for a new customs gate in Thrace, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou noted that commercial relations are improving in that region and that two countries will try to meet this need.

    Decisions related with Schengen are taken in a center, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou noted that there are concrete decisions and conditions related with visa for non-European Union (EU) citizens.

    They have requested visa exemption for Turkish citizens who will go on a daily excursion to Greek island, Papandreou said.

    Papandreou pointed out thet this will contribute to tourism and business deals between two countries but that they do not immediately know the response given to their demand.

    Some problems may occur in regulations, Papandreou said. He noted that this issue will be debated in Luxembourg on Monday.

    Papandreou stated that they are searching the ways to facilitate visa procedures for Turkish citizens who want to visit Greek islands within the framework of Schengen, adding that he is also exerting efforts to this end.


    Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    anadolu2html v1.01 run on Sunday, 24 June 2001 - 9:57:11 UTC