Nov. 19th Press Review
ERDOGAN PLEDGES TURKEY'S CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FAO TO ELIMINATE FAMINE
Speaking to reporters in Rome yesterday, on the sidelines of the World Summit on Food Security, held by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "More than 1 billion people worldwide are suffering from famine. Most of them live in underdeveloped or developing countries. High food and energy prices, climate change, rising unemployment due to the global financial crisis, and increasing biofuel production are the basic elements which triggered the global food crisis. Sharp declines in agricultural investments are making the situation even worse." Stating that Turkey has always supported FAO efforts to ensure food safety, as a key element of sustainable development, Erdogan said, "We continue sending humanitarian aid and giving technical assistance to underdeveloped and developing countries." Erdogan stressed the importance of supporting farmers and rural development as part of a long-term solution to famine. Asked about the Nabucco pipeline project, Erdogan said, "Nabucco is one of the European Union's most important projects. This project has three partners. You know we provide natural gas to Greece, and now we're trying to extend that natural gas pipeline to Italy and Albania." He added, "We don't consider Nabucco an alternative to the Southern Stream. The projects complement each other. When the southern Stream fails to meet Europe's energy needs, Nabucco will be an important option." Asked about defense industry cooperation between Turkey and Italy, Erdogan said that the first test flight of ATAK helicopters was held in Milan and that their mass production in Turkey would begin in 2013. Erdogan also cited the agreement on the ATAK project with Italy's Agusta Westland as a "significant deal" for Turkey and Italy. In September senior Turkish and Italian officials witnessed a test flight of the T129 ATAK, Turkey's first national attack helicopter, an enhanced version of Agusta Westland's A-129s, which will be jointly produced by Turkey and Italy. Turkey's Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI) – the prime contractor – and Italy's Agusta Westland – a subcontractor – will jointly produce the aircraft under an 2007 agreement for the purchase of 51 (plus 40 optional) helicopters for the Turkish Land Forces. /Turkiye/
ITALIAN PRESIDENT NAPOLITANO: "PRIVILEGED PARTNERSHIP PROPOSALS ARE INAPPROPRIATE"
As Turkey's European Union accession negotiations continue, it is inappropriate to try to propose another status to Turkey falling short of full membership, Italian President Georgio Napolitano said yesterday. Speaking at Ankara University, Napolitano called himself a consistent supporter of the Europe's unity and integration. "Turkey's rapprochement with Europe reached its peak through the Turkish Republic established under the leadership of Kemal Ataturk after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire," he added, "when Turkey put forth its choice to turn towards Europe under the 1924 Constitution." /Aksam/
FM DAVUTOGLU: "TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP WILL PUT AN END TO THE CULTURE COLD WAR"
Turkey's main strategic goal and basic policy is full European Union membership, said Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday, rebuffing claims that the nation is turning towards to the East. Speaking at the Sixth Turkish-Italian Forum, which was also attended by his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini and Italian Senate Vice President Emma Bonino, Davutoglu said, "The Cold War is over. Turkey's participation in Europe will put an end to the culture cold war." For his part, Frattini described EU's enlargement as a success, saying, "The union, which gained strength with the collapse of the Berlin Wall (20 years ago), will grow stronger when Turkey joins the EU." /Cumhuriyet/
FBI HEAD MULLER HOLDS TALKS IN ANKARA
FBI head Robert Muller arrived in Ankara yesterday for official talks. Muller separately met with Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, and National Police Chief Oðuz Kagan Koksal. Muller's talks reportedly focused on bilateral cooperation against terrorism and joint efforts against the terrorist PKK and al-Qaeda, as well as eliminating the PKK and expatriating its leadership from northern Iraq to a third country. Muller reportedly asked Turkey to continue its cooperation with the US to keep track of al-Qaeda-affiliated suspects and their activities. "The director was here to discuss our ongoing and important cooperation on counter-terrorism and law enforcement matters," the US Embassy said in a statement. "Turkey is one of our key partners in the global struggle against terrorism, and we strongly support Turkey's efforts against the PKK terrorist organization. The FBI and the Turkish National Police have a long history of working together in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime. We are looking forward to an exchange of views on opportunities for even closer and more effective cooperation in our common struggle against terror and law-breakers." In December 2005 Mueller visited Turkey to discuss al-Qaeda and PKK-related activities in the country. Since then, bilateral cooperation between the two countries against PKK activities has increased considerably. /Milliyet/
AL-HAKIM HAILS TURKEY'S ROLE IN IRAQ
Turkey maintains an equal distance from all Iraqi groups, and welcomes talks with representatives from all sectors of Iraqi society, said President Abdullah Gul yesterday. Receiving Ammar al-Hakim, the head of Iraq's Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, in Istanbul, Gul said Iraq is entering a critical election period from which it will emerge stronger. For his part, al-Hakim praised Ankara's continued support for Iraq, stressing the importance of consultations with Turkey on a wide range of issues. He added that Turkey has been playing a constructive role in Iraq, saying, "We expect Turkey to continue this role." He also cited Turkey's new consulates in major Iraqi cities as demonstrating the importance Turkey places on Iraq. Al-Hakim also held talks with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Speaking at a joint press conference afterwards, Davutoglu said, "Turkey places great importance on all sectarian, ethnic and religious groups coming together to build the future of Iraq in peace." Stating that a stable Iraq benefits the entire region, Davutoglu pledged that Turkey would continue to support Iraq. Al-Hakim also praised Turkey's stance on issues concerning the region and the Islamic world. /Sabah/
MASSIVE ISTANBUL MALL OPENS TO FIRST VISITORS
Forum Istanbul, which bills itself as Europe's largest retail project, opened its doors to curious crowds yesterday. Developed by Multi Turkmall, Forum Istanbul is located in Bayrampasa, near the center of Istanbul's European side. The shopping center expects to attract 25 million visitors a year. The mall's targeted annual turnover is 500 million euros. /Hurriyet Daily News/
