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Turkish Press Review, 01-04-03

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>

Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

03.04.2001


CONTENTS

  • [01] SEZER SUPPORTS DERVIS
  • [02] QUEEN BEATRIX TO MEET PRESIDENT SEZER
  • [03] US PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH VISITS TURKEY
  • [04] PAPANDREOU TO VISIT TURKEY
  • [05] HUNGARIAN DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY
  • [06] SWEDEN STRENGTHENS TIES WITH TURKEY
  • [07] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TRAVELS TO THE US
  • [08] TURKEY SIGNS BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT
  • [09] BOTAS TEAM TO VISIT BAGHDAD
  • [10] THE FIRST BIG MILITARY TENDER IN THE RECESSION PERIOD
  • [11] YALOVA CALLS FOREIGN INVESTORS
  • [12] NEW HABITAT MEETING HELD IN ANKARA
  • [13] DAY OF TENDER
  • [14] BIDDING FOR IMF
  • [15] TENDER FOR FREQUENCY FRANCHISING
  • [16] EXPORTS INCREASE, IMPORTS DECREASE
  • [17] OWNER OF DOGUS HOLDING, AYHAN SAHENK PASSES AWAY
  • [18] ME FASERSYSTEME BUILDS STEEL FIBER FACTORY IN IZMIR
  • [19] SIR WINSTON TEA INVESTS IN TURKEY
  • [20] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [21] TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS BY OZGEN ACAR (CUMHURIYET)
  • [22] STATE AS EMPLOYER BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)

  • [01] SEZER SUPPORTS DERVIS

    State Minister Responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis, met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for the second time yesterday. Dervis, who met with Sezer for almost forty minutes, relayed information on his contacts with World Bank and International Monetary Fund (MF) officials in Washington and Paris. It was stated that Dervis, reporting the process for domestic resources and the legal preparations necessary for foreign resources were underway, received Sezer's support. During the meeting Sezer pointed to the importance of social consensus and support. In addition, Dervis emphasized the importance of the Economic and Social Committee, which convened during the weekend, telling Sezer these meetings would continue. /Aksam/

    [02] QUEEN BEATRIX TO MEET PRESIDENT SEZER

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is traveling to the Netherlands today to meet with Dutch Queen Beatrix. The Netherlands will be the first EU country the President has ever visited. Sezer is also expected to meet Prime Minister Wim Kok. /Star/

    [03] US PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH VISITS TURKEY

    Father of the US President George W. Bush and former US President, George Bush, is coming to Turkey today. Mr. Bush is accompanied by the Carlyle Group administrators. They will be hosted by Rahmi Koc, Koc Holding Chairman of the Executive Board. The Carlyle Group, based in Washington, is investigating cooperation possibilities in various fields with Koc Group. /Turkiye/

    [04] PAPANDREOU TO VISIT TURKEY

    Days before his scheduled visit to Turkey, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou signaled the visit would contribute to a further development of relations. He said, "Misunderstandings have been overcome as the dialogue between our two countries has improved." Evaluating his visit and Turkish-Greece relations on the eve of his April 5-6 visit to Ankara, Papandreou said the two countries have made a great strides in relations over the last one-and-a-half years. The rapprochement process began after an outpouring of public sympathy stemming from two quakes hitting both Turkey and Greece within a short time. Since then Turkey and Greece have signed nine protocols envisaging cooperation in several comparatively uncontroversial fields ranging from education to tourism. Papandreou pointed to the ratification by the Greek Parliament of seven of these agreements, all unanimously, as a very positive sign. He will be discussing with the Turkish authorities how to better implement them in practice, in addition to a raft of several bilateral and regional issues. /Turkish News/

    [05] HUNGARIAN DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY

    A Hungarian parliamentary delegation led by Turco-Hungarian Interparliamentary Friendship Group Chairman, Andras Kelemen, has arrived in Turkey. The Hungarian delegation will meet with the Turco-Hungarian Friendship Group April 4. The delegation will also meet with Turkish Deputy Speaker Nejat Arseven and State Minister and Joint Economic Commission (KEK) Co-Chairman, Tunca Toskay the same day. The delegation will depart from Kutahya April 5 and visit the house of Hungarian hero, Kossuth Lajo which has been turned into a museum. They will travel to Istanbul April 6. /Turkish News/

    [06] SWEDEN STRENGTHENS TIES WITH TURKEY

    Sweden has decided today to reinforce its diplomatic presence in Turkey by establishing a new center within the Consulate General in Istanbul, according to a statement given by Swedish Consul General Sture Theolin. This decision indicates the importance Sweden attaches to bilateral relations with Turkey as well as the importance attached to Turkey's candidacy for membership in the European Union. Hence, the purpose of the Istanbul Center for Turkish-Swedish Cooperation will be to further promote contacts between Sweden and Turkey, between Turks and Swedes as well as support Turkey's goal to achieve EU membership. /Turkish Daily News/

    [07] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TRAVELS TO THE US

    A parliamentary delegation chaired by the Chairman of Foreign Relations Commission Kamran Inan, traveled to the US for contacts with the US Congress and the new Administration. The delegation consists of Motherland Party (ANAP) Deputy Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Deputy Oktay Vural, Socialist Democratic Party (DSP) Deputy Tahir Kose, True Path Party (DYP) Deputy Ayfer Yilmaz and Virtue Party (FP) Deputy Abdullah Gul. /Star/

    [08] TURKEY SIGNS BLACKSEAFOR AGREEMENT

    Turkey has signed the BLACKSEAFOR (Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group) agreement. Other parties to the agreement are Bulgaria, Georgia, Russian Federation, Ukraine and Romania. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Commander of Naval Forces Vice-Admiral Ilhami Erdil signed the agreement on behalf of Turkey. A joint naval force was established within the framework of the agreement. The force will be deployed for various tasks from humanitarian aid to environmental issues. The Agreement aims to promote regional cooperation among the party countries. /Star/ TURKISH PARLIAMENT ALERTED OVER 15 NEW LAWS The Turkish Parliament is alerted over the 15 new laws declared essential for the new economic program by the Minister of State responsible for Economics. The Advisory Council will meet today to determine the Parliament's schedule. The Council plans to work for 24 hours until new laws are enacted. Coalition partners called on all deputies to participate in the parliamentary process on the new laws. /Star/

    [09] BOTAS TEAM TO VISIT BAGHDAD

    A delegation from Turkey's state run pipeline company, BOTAS, will arrive in Iraq Tuesday to discuss a planned gas line. The gas line will handle Baghdad's exports to Turkey's Mediterranean terminal of Ceyhan, Nabdh al-Shabab (Pulse of Youth), weekly newspaper said. Iraq's Oil Ministry Undersecretary Taha Hmoud, in press remarks published on Sunday, said contract talks between Baghdad and Ankara to set up the gas pipeline were at an advantageous stage. /Turkish Daily News/

    [10] THE FIRST BIG MILITARY TENDER IN THE RECESSION PERIOD

    The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is planning to delay production of new tanks and ships after devaluation caused the Turkish lira to lose value compared to the US dollar. However, the TSK is planning to accelerate the production of attack helicopters. The first big military tender in the recession period was opened for affixing electronic war system to the helicopters. /Milliyet/ GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS TL 2.5-3 QLN SAVINGS The government is looking at saving TL 2.5-3 quadrillion through new austerity measures in the government budget according to an announcement by State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen following yesterday's Cabinet meeting in Ankara. Yucelen told reporters that the government would not impose new taxes, but rather carry on saving measures to build up funds. He said all ministers would give up the parts of their budgets they could forsake voluntarily, and that a coordinator minister or undersecretary of the Prime Ministry would decide on these savings. Every minister will present savings in his ministry's budget to the Cabinet meeting next week. Yucelen said the authorization bill for revising year-end budgetary targets would be submitted to Parliament this week. The nationalization bill which makes changes in the banking law, will be sent to Parliament before the weekend, said the minister. /Turkish News/

    [11] YALOVA CALLS FOREIGN INVESTORS

    Yuksel Yalova, State Minister Responsible for Privatization, attended a conference titled, "Turkiye", organized by Investmentbank AG. Addressing the conference, Mr. Yalova, spoke to British businessmen about the privatization progress in Turkey. Pointing out that Turkey was in the midst of a major change, Mr. Yalova called upon foreign investors, to not only observe these developments, but to participate in it actively. /Turkiye/

    [12] NEW HABITAT MEETING HELD IN ANKARA

    HABITAT's European Continent 16th study meeting will be held in the Parliament building. HABITAT Regional Chairman Peter Gotz, State Minister Faruk Bal and Environmental Commission Chairman Ediz Hun will address the opening ceremony. The agenda for the next HABITAT meeting scheduled for New York in June will be discussed. /Turkish News/

    [13] DAY OF TENDER

    The Treasury Undersecretariat has four tenders scheduled in April. The first bidding begins today. The tender, open to the public, has a four month maturity date and will realize a 500- trillion TL loan. The repayment will be due August 8, 2001. /Turkiye/

    [14] BIDDING FOR IMF

    Reportedly, the State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, will invite IMF Chairm, Horst Kohler, in a letter. The IMF delegation is expected to arrive in Turkey this weekend. On the other hand, Johannes Linn, Vice Chairman of the World Bank, is scheduled to arrive in Turkey tomorrow after completing his meetings in Russia. /Turkiye/

    [15] TENDER FOR FREQUENCY FRANCHISING

    The Supreme Board for Radio and Television (RTUK) announced the tender date to franchise all national television channel frequencies in the Official Gazette yesterday. The tender will take place at 10 am April 26 at the Ankara Bilkent Hotel. The offers will be non-sealed bids and stations that are not present at the start of the tender will be left out. /Turkish Daily News/

    [16] EXPORTS INCREASE, IMPORTS DECREASE

    The export rate increased during February. Minister of State responsible for Customs, Mehmet Kececiler, said exports reached $3.3 billion and imports $2.6 billion in February. The export_import rate which was 53 % last year, reached 73 % in February of this year. Devaluation is expected to affect the export rate positively. /Star/

    [17] OWNER OF DOGUS HOLDING, AYHAN SAHENK PASSES AWAY

    Owner of Dogus Holding, Ayhan Sahenk died of cancer yesterday. He had spent the past year traveling to the US for treatment. He was known for his charity works such as the building of many education, health and sports institutions. /Star/

    [18] ME FASERSYSTEME BUILDS STEEL FIBER FACTORY IN IZMIR

    German construction materials producer ME Fasersysteme is launching a joint venture factory in Izmir with Tamer Taskin, a member of the Aegean Region Industrial Chamber Board of Directors. Taskin and ME Fasersysteme Chairman Michael Engelbrecher spoke about the joint project which will produce steel fiber at a press conference in Izmir yesterday, Anatolia Agency reported. Engelbrecher, also Chairman of Germany's Steel Fiber Producers Association, said his company would bring new technology into Turkey. "We are considering investing in Turkey. I'm sure we'll be successful with our projects in Turkey. Supporting Turkey in these difficult times is very important for us. We believe that Turkey's economy will recover in the future." /Turkish News/

    [19] SIR WINSTON TEA INVESTS IN TURKEY

    One of the world's leading tea brands, Sir Winston Tea, began production in the Teeanne and Kutas Food Company's facilities in Turkey. Sir Winston Tea is producing a blend specifically prepared for Turkish tastes. The facilities were built for 4 million US dollars. Teeanne Project Director Stefan Quack delivered a speech during a meeting organized to promote Sir Winston Tea and said, "The aim of the company, established in 1881, is to control the blend process and to maintain the same high quality." /Aksam/

    [20] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [21] TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS BY OZGEN ACAR (CUMHURIYET)

    Columnist Ozgen Acar writes on the improvement seen in Turco-Greek relations. A summary of his column is as follows: "Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou is coming to Turkey Thursday. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Papandreou are using every opportunity to come together whenever they find themselves in the same city for an international meeting or convention. However, this time Papandreou will pay a working visit to Turkey. The two Ministers will discuss various issues during the Greek Foreign Minister's stay in Ankara. Following the earthquake tragedies experienced by both nations, the improvement in diplomatic relations between Athens and Ankara was seen in almost every field. In the past two years, the political directors for both Ministers have come together and produced nine agreements, in addition to the one between the Agriculture ministers. This is a considerable improvement when compared to the days of hostility witnessed even in the commercial field. The two Ministers will evaluate the recent developments in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Middle East in the light of information given to them by the political directors. They will review the developments concerning the ten agreements, and discuss prospective fields for agreements to be made. One of the new agreements may concern the prevention of double taxation. This agreement, expected by the businessmen in both countries, is being delayed due to an internal legal problem concerning the Greek Parliament. Cem and Papandreou will discuss all of the agreements and see which of them are working to the best advantage of both countries."

    [22] STATE AS EMPLOYER BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)

    Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the recent economic crisis in the country. A summary of his column is as follows: "The Government has received the full support of the President, the National Security Council, and the Armed Forces to take the country out of this economic crisis. The main opposition, the Virtue Party, has shown its patriotism by giving a blank check (carte blanche) to the Government, even though it put forth some unclear conditions for lending this support. It is understood that a wing of the party will continue to follow hard-line policies. This crisis has political, social and economic reasons and causes. One such cause is the mentality which sees the State as employer, added up with the conviction that anyone with brains can rob the State. The State is the entire body made up of institutions and organizations. It was apparent the system would be dealt a blow and a crisis would unfold when subjected to such treacherous aggression. The State could not get rid of its State Economic Enterprises (SEE) and banks, and what is more, continued shoring them up. The State regarded the SEEs as tools of its employment policy. In addition, every party coming into power employed its loyal members in these institutions. Balances were upset and the rules of contemporary economies were disregarded. Social justice and income distribution were in shreds. The Modern State is not an employer. It cannot own factories or provide mass employment. A socialist state, having this structure, is bogged down in red tape and resulting in poverty; privatization does not occur and foreign investors are reluctant to come. All legal and illegal income is transferred abroad. When this comes to pass, laws for political parties will be prepared in Washington and election laws will be prepared in Brussels."
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