Nov. 23rd Press Review
PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SAHIN VISITS RUSSIA
Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin yesterday flew to Russia to participate in the 34th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC). While there, Sahin will participate in a banquet hosted by Boriz Gryzlov, the PABSEC president and speaker of Russia's Duma, and the opening ceremony of PABSEC today. /Hurriyet Daily News/
ERDOGAN, BRITAIN'S BROWN DISCUSS CYPRUS ISSUE AND EU MATTERS ON PHONE
In a telephone conversation yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his British counterpart Gordon Brown discussed issues of common concern such as just-elected European Union President Herman van Rompuy, whose views on Turkey's EU accession bid are similar to those of French and German leaders, Turkish-EU relations, and ongoing talks between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders, along with various international issues. The conversations took place at Brown's request. In related news, Erdogan will arrive in Washington in early next week for official talks at the invitation of US President Barack Obama. Erdogan's talks with Obama are expected to focus on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues such as joint efforts against terrorism, the Middle East peace process, Iran's nuclear program, Iraq, stability in the Balkan and the Caucasus, and energy matters. One of the main topics between the two leaders will be Turkey's EU accession process. Shortly after Erdogan's talks in the US capital, EU leaders will convene in Brussels to discuss Turkey's accession talks, among other things. Known for their staunch opposition to Turkey's EU admission, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy are expected to reiterate their anti-Turkey stance at the meeting. Analysts underline the timing of the Erdogan-Obama meeting, saying that the influence of Obama, a strong supporter of Turkey's EU aspirations, will counterbalance the German and French opposition to Turkey's EU accession. /Turkiye/
DAVUTOGLU: "TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN ARE IN FULL CONSENSUS ON THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH ISSUE"
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey and Azerbaijan are in full agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, and will keep each other informed of any step they take on it. Solving the issue will remarkably boost Turkey's efforts for peace and stability in the Caucasus, he said. Asked about French President Nicolas Sarkozy's opposition to Turkey's European Union accession, Davutoglu said Sarkozy is aware of the reality that Turkey is a powerful country with rising clout on the global stage, but has problem acknowledging this. On the Cyprus issue, Davutoglu said that recently there have been some developments in the comprehensive negotiations between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders, but that he couldn't reveal further details as of now. In related news, the Azeri and Armenian presidents met in Munich yesterday as part of internationally mediated talks between the two countries to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) Co-Chairman Bernard Fassier told reporters afterwards that significant progress was made during the talks. /Sabah/
PM ERDOGAN DUE IN LIBYA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan today will depart for Libya along with State Minister for Foreign Trade Zafer Caglayan and a large business delegation. During his visit, Erdogan will meet with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his Libyan counterpart Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi and will also attend a Turkish-Libyan business forum. /Hurriyet/
TURKEY INVITED TO JOIN PHILIPPINE PEACE PROCESS
The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have invited Turkey, along with Japan, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, to form part of the International Contact Group (ICG) to guarantee all agreements in the peace process between the two negotiating parties. In a weekend statement, the MILF said of the four states that have been officially invited to join the ICG, only the UK, Japan and Turkey have shown positive interest, China's Xinhua news agency reported. /Today’s Zaman/
