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Turkish Press Review, 05-02-03

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

03.02.2005

ERDOGAN: “SENDING TURKISH SOLDIERS TO INDONESIA MAY BE BROUGHT TO NSC’S AGENDA IF SUCH DEMAND ARISES” ERDOGAN TO OPEN TURKEY’S THIRD STOCK MARKET GUL MEETS WITH CHINESE PM, TRADE MINISTER TO DISCUSS TRADE TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES ALGERIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEY PALESTINIAN LEADER ABBAS MEETS WITH ARINC ANKARA TO HOST RICE-LAVROV MEETING EU URGES TURKEY TO INITIAL PROTOCOL EXTENDING CUSTOMS UNION TO COVER GREEK CYPRIOTS ITF’S TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: “TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE A SAY ON THE KIRKUK ISSUE” GREEK CYPRIOT OPPOSITION LEADER TO VISIT ANKARA DYP’S AGAR: “PARLIAMENT SHOULD TAKE UP ELECTIONS IN IRAQ” TUZMEN: “FAR EASTERN PRODUCTS ARE SUPERVISED CLOSELY” FISCHER PRAISES THE TURKISH ECONOMY, SAYING THE PROGRAM’S CREDIBILITY INCREASED INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR PRAISES TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP BID IMF’S DAWSON: “TURKEY CONTINUES TO HAVE SUCH AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE” FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS… DIPLOMACY IN MIDDLE EAST BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

CONTENTS

  • [01] ERDOGAN: “SENDING TURKISH SOLDIERS TO INDONESIA MAY BE BROUGHT TO NSC’S AGENDA IF SUCH DEMAND ARISES”
  • [02] ERDOGAN TO OPEN TURKEY’S THIRD STOCK MARKET
  • [03] GUL MEETS WITH CHINESE PM, TRADE MINISTER TO DISCUSS TRADE TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
  • [04] ALGERIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEY
  • [05] BAYKAL VISITS HAKKARI
  • [06] PALESTINIAN LEADER ABBAS MEETS WITH ARINC
  • [07] ANKARA TO HOST RICE-LAVROV MEETING
  • [08] EU URGES TURKEY TO INITIAL PROTOCOL EXTENDING CUSTOMS UNION TO COVER GREEK CYPRIOTS
  • [09] ITF’S TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: “TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE A SAY ON THE KIRKUK ISSUE”
  • [10] GREEK CYPRIOT OPPOSITION LEADER TO VISIT ANKARA
  • [11] DYP’S AGAR: “PARLIAMENT SHOULD TAKE UP ELECTIONS IN IRAQ”
  • [12] TUZMEN: “FAR EASTERN PRODUCTS ARE SUPERVISED CLOSELY”
  • [13] FISCHER PRAISES THE TURKISH ECONOMY, SAYING THE PROGRAM’S CREDIBILITY INCREASED
  • [14] INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR PRAISES TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP BID
  • [15] IMF’S DAWSON: “TURKEY CONTINUES TO HAVE SUCH AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE”
  • [16] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…
  • [17] DIPLOMACY IN MIDDLE EAST BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

  • [01] ERDOGAN: “SENDING TURKISH SOLDIERS TO INDONESIA MAY BE BROUGHT TO NSC’S AGENDA IF SUCH DEMAND ARISES”

    Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that sending Turkish soldiers in order to organize assistance to Aceh, Indonesia, which recently suffered from tsunami disaster, wasn’t on the government’s agenda, adding that he would decide on the issue after visiting South Asia. “We can bring the issue on the agenda of the National Security Council [NSC] if such demand arises,” added Erdogan. In related news, Erdogan yesterday attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Second Organized Industry Region in Ankara, which would be established by Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO). Addressing the gathering, Erdogan touted the economy, saying that the government reached its inflation target last year. “We’ll work very hard to achieve this year’s 8% inflation target,” he said. “Our goal is to reduce this rate to 5% next year.” Also addressing the gathering, Industry and Trade Minister Ali Coskun said that the government had lifted most of the bureaucratic obstacles to industrialists. /Cumhuriyet/

    [02] ERDOGAN TO OPEN TURKEY’S THIRD STOCK MARKET

    Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to open Turkey’s third stock market tomorrow, namely, The Stock Market of Forward Transaction and Option (VOB). “The VOB will provide investors with new opportunities,” said the VOB Director Hamdi Bagci. “The transactions will begin once the market is opened by the Premier. A new window will be opened on Feb. 4 for Turkey’s financial markets.” /Hurriyet/

    [03] GUL MEETS WITH CHINESE PM, TRADE MINISTER TO DISCUSS TRADE TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

    Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in People’s Republic of China for an official visit, yesterday met with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao and Chinese Trade Minister Bo Xilai to discuss a number of issues, including bilateral relations. During the meeting, Gul said that the trade volume between the two countries was $4 billion, but complained that $3.5 billion of this constituted of China’s exports to Turkey. “We can overcome this imbalance through investments,” said Gul and called for Chinese businessmen to further invest in Turkey. For his part, Jiabao said that there were several opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, adding that he would encourage Chinese firms to invest in Turkey. Touching on Ankara’s European Union membership bid, Jiabao said that his country supported Ankara’s EU bid and predicted that Ankara’s EU membership would help improvement of strategic partnership between the two countries. Xilai called for Turkish businessmen to invest in his country. He complained that Turkey putting quotas against China could also lead the US and the EU member states to do the same, adding that Chinese businessmen were uncomfortable concerning the issue. Gul stated that economic ties between the two countries covered a number of fields, but trade constituted a little part of this. /Aksam/

    [04] ALGERIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEY

    Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika accompanied by Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem and Energy and Mining Minister Chakib Khelil yesterday arrived in Ankara to pay an official visit. On the first day of his three-day visit; Bouteflika met with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss bilateral relations and international issues including prospects for peace in the Middle East. The visit is considered to have high importance for Turkey-Algerian relations, as it’s the first-ever presidential visit to Turkey since Algeria gained independence four decades ago. Bouteflika is also expected to meet with Turkish businessmen in Istanbul in bid to strengthen economic relations. /Cumhuriyet/

    [05] BAYKAL VISITS HAKKARI

    Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday visited Hakkari recently hit by a series of moderate earthquakes, the strongest of which measured 5.5 on the Richter scale. Baykal was accompanied by several deputies from the CHP. Addressing the gathering, Baykal criticized bureaucratic obstacles to assistance to the province, adding that an efficient work couldn’t be done to help people. “People living in the tents are facing difficult living conditions,” added Baykal. /Cumhuriyet/

    [06] PALESTINIAN LEADER ABBAS MEETS WITH ARINC

    On the second day of Turkey visit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accompanied by a delegation, yesterday visited Ataturk’s mausoleum (Anitkabir) and then met with Parliament speaker Bulent Arinc. Pointing to Turkish people’s ongoing support to Palestinians, Arinc underlined that Ankara would do its best to contribute the peace efforts in the Middle East. For his part, Abbas said that Turkey was a model for the Palestinians. He added that Turkey had an important position in the region and could play an important role to find a settlement to the conflict in the Mideast. /Star/

    [07] ANKARA TO HOST RICE-LAVROV MEETING

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice are set to meet in Ankara this weekend. Rice is arriving in Ankara this Saturday as part of a tour of the Middle East and Europe. Rice and Lavrov will put layout for a summit between US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava, Slovakia, later this month. Meanwhile, Rice’s talks with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul are expected to focus on Turkey’s concern over presence of terrorist PKK militants in northern Iraq and status of oil-rich city of Kirkuk. In related news, daily International Herald Tribune said yesterday that Rice’s Ankara visit had a key importance to test her capability to repair relations. Turkey-US relations were damaged last spring due to Ankara’s fail to lend support for US’ Iraq operation. /Turkiye/

    [08] EU URGES TURKEY TO INITIAL PROTOCOL EXTENDING CUSTOMS UNION TO COVER GREEK CYPRIOTS

    The European Commission reminded Turkey that it must initial a protocol extending its customs union with the EU to cover the Greek Cypriot administration before it can begin membership talks with the bloc as planned on October 3. The Commission sent a letter to Ankara on this issue, said Leopold Maurer, Commission’s director general for enlargement. Maurer met with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot politicians in the Greek Cypriot administration to discuss implementation of the Green Line regulation. “This is the first step that Turkey must take,” he said. “And, there will be others prior to Oct. 3” /Sabah/

    [09] ITF’S TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: “TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE A SAY ON THE KIRKUK ISSUE”

    Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) Turkey Representative Ahmet Muratli yesterday said that the Kirkuk issue was no longer a domestic issue of Iraq but had already become an international problem due to the Kurdish groups’ attitude. “Turkey has the right to have a say on this issue,” he said. “Ankara must continue its initiatives on Kirkuk.” Turkmen groups harshly reacted to recent Kurdish allegations that they obtained 68% of the total votes in the elections. Muratli accused Kurdish groups of fabricating the election results. “The targets of the Kurdish groups are clear,” he added. “They’re planning to expel Arabs and Turkmens from Kirkuk. Their designs aim at seizing the resources of the oil-rich city.” /Hurriyet/

    [10] GREEK CYPRIOT OPPOSITION LEADER TO VISIT ANKARA

    Greek Cypriot main opposition DISI leader Nikos Anastasiades is planning to pay a visit to Ankara next week. After returning from a visit to south Asia, Erdogan is expected to meet with Anastasiades. During his three-day talks, the DISI leader will discuss the Cyprus issue with Turkish officials. /Turkiye/

    [11] DYP’S AGAR: “PARLIAMENT SHOULD TAKE UP ELECTIONS IN IRAQ”

    Opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar yesterday criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government’s policy on Iraq. Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, Agar urged the government to play a more active role in Iraq. “Turkey has become a country not decisive but is rather a bystander in terms of foreign policy-related issues,” said Agar. He also called on the government to bring up foreign policy issues including Iraq in Parliament to be discussed. /Turkiye/

    [12] TUZMEN: “FAR EASTERN PRODUCTS ARE SUPERVISED CLOSELY”

    State Minister Kursad Tuzmen yesterday said that the products imported from the Far Eastern countries were being supervised closely in order to prevent unfair competition in the markets. The border gates are monitored around the clock, he said. “We’ve reached the highest number of smuggled products seized in the history of Turkey.” /Hurriyet/

    [13] FISCHER PRAISES THE TURKISH ECONOMY, SAYING THE PROGRAM’S CREDIBILITY INCREASED

    Former International Monetary Fund Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer yesterday praised the Turkish economy, saying that Turkey’s high inflation was reduced and fiscal stability was achieved thanks to the successful implementation of the IMF supported economic program. He further stressed that Turkey’s economic program gained credibility due to the implementation of right economy policies. Fischer added that continuation of determined implementation of the program was very important. /Aksam/

    [14] INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR PRAISES TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP BID

    International finance magazine The Institutional Investor praised Turkey’s recent performance on its path towards the European Union membership. “Prime Minister Erdogan's turnaround efforts have brought Turkey to Europe's doorstep,” the magazine wrote. “Now, the real work begins to get his country inside.” The magazine also described Economy Minister Ali Babacan as the young and energetic minister of Turkey, applauding Erdogan government’s lobbying efforts in the EU capitals. / Hurriyet/

    [15] IMF’S DAWSON: “TURKEY CONTINUES TO HAVE SUCH AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE”

    Director of the IMF’s External Relations Department, Thomas C. Dawson yesterday told a press conference in Washington that he was not concerned about the delay in Turkey’s program. “Delays happen and this is not a long delay by the standards of what we've had previously, particularly as Turkey continues to have such an impressive performance,” he said. “The Fund mission in December concluded discussions on a new program with Turkey. The authorities are requesting a three-year, US$10 billion Stand-By Arrangement to support the program, which aims at continuing and building on the sustained growth, further entrenching low inflation, and working toward debt reduction. The main elements include the 6.5 percent of GDP primary surplus target, containing and reducing social security deficits; improved tax administration, bringing banking supervision more in line with EU standards, and encouraging foreign direct investment. There are a number of steps in the above areas that are needed to facilitate the Board discussion of the new program. These include submission of new social security and banking reform legislation and passage of a new tax administration law. We essentially are waiting to see how this progresses in Turkey.” /Hurriyet/

    [16] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…

    [17] DIPLOMACY IN MIDDLE EAST BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the situation in the Middle East. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “The timing could never be better. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Turkey coincided with a time when hopeful messages came from the Middle East concerning peace. In addition, Ankara hosted Israeli Chief of General Staff Gen. Moshe Yaalon at the same time. These two visits are important due to their contribution to Turkey’s bilateral relations with Palestine and Israel and Ankara’s possible contribution to the peace in the Middle East. When Abbas became the president, a new period entered in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Frozen contacts were reestablished between the two parties, measures and new steps started to be taken for the end of violence and in favor of the peace process. Abbas showed his determination for the end of violence and tried to convince such groups as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. At least, now there is an actual cease-fire for now. Another important step taken by Abbas is that he charged Palestinian security forces with the task of ensuring security in the Gaza region. In addition, the Israeli government announced its decision to discharge the settlements in Gaza and withdraw from five centers in the West Sheria.

    When these steps are being taken, the statement made concerning Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s initiative gave the good news of a serious beginning in the peace process. As a result of the silent diplomacy carried out by Egypt recently, Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will meet in Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt next Tuesday. Even this is a historic development. If both sides can agree on an official cease-fire and common security measures during this summit and reach a consensus on starting a peace process in which basic principles will be discussed, this would be a great success. Obviously, it won’t be easy for leaders to reach an agreement on such problems as security, cease-fire, etc. Both sides will face the opposition and resistance of their own militants and need domestic and foreign support. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul promised this support during his visit to the region last month and this was repeated during the visits paid by Abbas and Gen. Yaalon to Ankara.”

    ARCHIVE

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