Press Review
IN PALESTINE, SEZER CALLS FOR HAMAS TO BE REALISTIC AND OPEN TO DIALOGUE
After completing his contacts in Israel, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer proceeded to Palestine yesterday. Speaking at a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Sezer said that Ankara hoped that an independent Palestinian state living in peace with Israel would be established. He further called for Hamas to be “realistic” and open to dialogue, adding that Turkey believed all political groups in Palestine should cooperate for peace. “We also believe that a realistic stance opening the way for dialogue will help a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute,” he said. For his part, Abbas said that he appreciated Ankara’s support for an independent Palestinian state. “We appreciate Turkey’s efforts for a solution to the dispute,” he said. Abbas stressed that the living conditions of the Palestinian people were bad, adding that international assistance was necessary. /Sabah/
ISTANBUL HOSTS TURKISH-ARAB ECONOMIC FORUM
Istanbul is hosting a Turkish-Arab Economic Forum to pave the way for stronger economic ties. As part of the gathering, some 700 businessmen from both Turkey and Arab countries will hold a host of discussions on a wide variety of subjects. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Lebanese counterpart Fouad Siniora yesterday participated in the opening session of the meeting. Arab League head Amr Mussa and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, as well as representatives from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar, were present. Delivering an opening speech, Erdogan said that relations between Turkey and Arab countries were developing with an understanding of reciprocal reliance, adding that appropriate grounds existed to further develop ties in all areas. Concerning the Iraq issue, Erdogan expressed Ankara’s welcome for the new Iraqi government and called on neighboring countries to back the country resolving its issues. Pointing to recent conflicts in the region, Erdogan reiterated that Turkey desired a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear program issue. “Of course, no one in the region will approve of any development to use nuclear energy as weapons of mass destruction,” said the Turkish premier. Stressing that Turkey would do its best to help to ensure peace in the Mideast, Erdogan said that the Palestine’s ruling Hamas party should reform itself away from its extremes. Furthermore, calling called on Arab countries to invest in Turkey, Erdogan said developing economic ties would serve regional stability, development and prosperity. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN: “KIRKUK SHOULD HAVE A SPECIAL STATUS”
During a meeting with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh yesterday in Istanbul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Kirkuk should have a special status. Expressing Turkey’s hope that stability in Iraq can be ensured after the recent establishment of a government in the country, Erdogan reiterated Ankara’s concern over Kirkuk, adding that that the northern Iraqi city should have a special position. The talks also focused on bilateral trade ties and border gate issues between the two countries. For his part, Saleh pledged that a just and appropriate resolution would be reached on Kirkuk, adding that necessary measures would taken against the terrorist PKK, also a threat to Iraq itself. In addition, Erdogan yesterday met with visiting Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas. The premier talked with him about Ankara’s initiatives and efforts to end the TRNC’s international isolation. /Turkiye/
GUL DISCUSSES IRAN WITH GERMAN, EU COUNTERPARTS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has reportedly spoken with his German and European Union colleagues about Iran’s nuclear program. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana yesterday telephoned Gul about the matter. Solana, accompanied by representatives from Britain, France, Germany and Russia, recently paid a visit to Tehran to present a new package on the issue to Iranian officials. In addition, after the talks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kisylak called Ankara to exchange views with Turkish officials regarding recent developments. /Turkiye/
CHIEF EU NEGOTIATOR BABACAN: “THERE MIGHT BE A PAUSE IN THE EU ACCESSION PROCESS”
Turkey’s chief European Union negotiator Ali Babacan said yesterday that everybody should be ready for a possible slower pace or even a pause in the European Union accession process. Speaking at a press conference held at the Treasury Undersecretariat, Babacan argued that the detailed screening has ended in 18 areas, with no problems encountered. He also said that they had established a Monitoring and Orientation Committee and have been preparing an Acquis Harmonization Program for 17 chapters. When asked about statements from EU officials that Turkey has to open its ports to the Greek Cypriots this year, Babacan reiterated that Ankara has a different interpretation of the situation and a very clear position. /Cumhuriyet/
EU COMPROMISES ON COMMON POSITION PAPER
The European Union yesterday compromised on the common position paper to be submitted to Turkey before the Turkey-EU Association Council meeting set to begin on Monday. During the EU Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) meeting, the Greek Cypriot administration tried to add the ports issue to the document but it was unsuccessful. The common position paper was approved with Greek Cyprus’ reservation, while the position paper on which the EU has to reach a settlement in order to start actual negotiations on the science and research chapter was left to today. Turkish sources said that these documents were one-sided papers prepared by the EU and that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul might have issues ahead of him in Luxembourg on Monday. /Hurriyet/
TURKISH-GREEK MEDIA CONFERENCE STARTS TODAY
The Fourth Turkish-Greek Media Conference held by the Turkish Press Council will start today. A council statement said that the conference, which was organized by the Contact Group, would last until Monday and that its official opening will be done by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and his Greek counterpart Dora Bakoyannis. The statement also said that cooperation between both countries’ media was aimed at strengthening peace and that rapprochement to avoid mutual provocations by establishing a Turkish-Greek Journalists Association would be discussed. /Hurriyet/
GREEK FM: “WE CAN GO TO THE HAGUE FOR THE AEGEAN PROBLEMS”
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanis yesterday said that mutual relations and Turkey’s EU perspective would be up for discussion during her meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. In written responses to questions from the Anatolia news agency prior to her visit to Turkey set to begin today, Bakoyannis said, “It might be beneficial to go to The Hague to determine the continental shelf problem in the Aegean Sea. The Hague tribunal is a globally respected institution which has contributed to the peaceful solution of many problems within the context of international law. We believe that The Hague might be a beneficial instrument.” /Cumhuriyet/
IMF CALLS CENTRAL BANK’S INTEREST RATE HIKE “POSITIVE SIGNAL”
International Monetary Fund Turkey Representative Hugh Bredenkamp yesterday called the Central Bank’s decision to raise short-term interest rates from 13.25% to 15% a “positive signal.” Saying that this week’s hike proved the determination of the government to achieve the inflation target for this year, he added, “These are very positive political signals with the government’s commitments to strengthen the fiscal position last month.” /Milliyet/
UNAKITAN: “I APPRECIATE THE CB’S INTEREST DECISION”
Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan said yesterday that he appreciated the Central Bank’s decision to raise short-term interest from 13.25% to 15%. Calling the decision appropriate, Unakitan added that the CB and Finance Ministry are taking a number of measures and implementing these. “This interest hike won’t affect the 2006 budget,” he said. In related news, State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said that he hoped the decision would be positive for the economy, but declined to comment further on the issue. /Milliyet/
CB HEAD: “WE’LL INTERVENE IN THE EXCHANGE RATE IF NECESSARY”
Speaking at a conference yesterday, Central Bank Governor Durmus Yilmaz said that interest pressure would continue as long as interest rates continue to rise in the international markets. Saying that the CB would watch the results of its interest hike decision, Yilmaz stressed that it would intervene in the exchange rate if necessary. Yilmaz stated that inflation target was determined with the government and that the implementation of inflation targeting was under the government’s control. “A revision in the inflation target is out of the question for now,” he said. “With our interest hike decision, we’re trying to get closer to the target.” Commenting on the current account deficit, Yilmaz predicted that as long as the economic program continues the deficit couldn’t possibly pose any risk. /Aksam/
