Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
The expected meeting yesterday of the leaders of the coalition
partners to determine a joint candidate for presidency has been
postponed due to the illness of Premier Bulent Ecevit. The Office
of Presidency declared that the date of the summit would be
announced later. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has been suffering
from flu ever since he returned from a trip to India early this
month and has been resting at his home for a couple of days.
/Turkiye/
After receiving candidacy status to the European Union (EU)
during the Helsinki Summit last December, Turkey began the period
of 'cooperation' with the EU yesterday in Luxembourg. During the
'39th Association Council', which was held yesterday, concrete
steps were taken in the financial and technical field. After the
meeting, which was held in a very positive atmosphere, a report
entitled the 'Situation of Relations between Turkey and the
European Union' was published. Previously there was a bilateral
political dialogue between Turkey and the European Union, but
from now on, Turkey will be able to attend all the meetings with
the other candidate and member countries to the EU and publish a
joint declaration. In one of the articles of the report, it was
written, "The EU will support Turkey in the field of developing
human rights for all the Turkish citizens, including those of the
Kurdish origin." This kind of an expression is being used for the
first time for this issue, which was called the 'Kurdish problem'
before. Furthermore, the EU will donate 15 million Euros to
Turkey to contribute to the financing of necessary arrangements
for membership to the EU. In addition, the EU will start the
process of 'screening.' Within this framework, it was decided
that eight sub-committees will be established between Turkey and
the European Union. /Sabah/
The 'Christian Science Monitor', a leading US newspaper, states
that dream of EU membership, which should be realized for many
Turks, was being questioned in Turkey following the granting of
EU candidacy status to Turkey during the Helsinki Summit.
According to an article entitled 'Is Turkey fed up with the EU?'
written by Scott Peterson, some people in Turkey were fed up with
hearing complaints concerning the human rights record in Turkey.
The article said that it was uncertain to what extent the EU and
Turkwey could harmonize with each other. The Representative of
the European Commission to Turkey, Karen Fogg, said, "Many
Western Europeans are serious about Turkey's entry into the EU.
There is a more mature understanding from the standpoint of
geostrategical realities". /Cumhuriyet/
Following the PASOK Party's victory during the elections in
Greece, George Papandreou, who is expected to be the Minister of
Foreign Affairs in the new government, delivered a speech during
the press conference that was held after the Turkish-European
Union Association Council, and said, "The spirit of Helsinki
contributed greatly to my winning the election. The result of the
election shows that the Greek nation appreciates our foreign
policy, including Helsinki." Papandreou also met the Turkish
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, in Luxembourg. During
this meeting, Cem congratulated Papandreou and wished the
continuation of his success. Meanwhile, Papandreou stated that
they would continue their policy of rapproachement in the
relations between Turkey and the European Union and that it will
even be sped up. /Sabah/
One of the first acts of the winner of the Greek elections,
Kostas Simitis, during his new four-year term is to continue the
process of rapprochement with Turkey. Cooperation in energy and
double taxation are the topics on the agenda. After that, the
Aegean issue, the most important issue between the two countries,
will be taken up. Nine agreements which were signed by the
Foreign Ministers of the two countries, during their reciprocal
visits, will be presented to the Greek Parliament for
ratification. The Greek government will also evaluate the Turkish
Football Federation's offer for a joint application to host the
2008 European Football Championship. In May, Turkish war planes
will land at Greek military bases for the first time during the
NATO Dynamic Mix manoeuvres. /Turkiye/
American President Bill Clinton's Special Envoy for Cyprus Alfred
Moses who came to Ankara for official contacts will meet Minister
of State, Sukru Sina Gurel and Undersecretary of Foreign
Ministry, Faruk Logoglu today. /Turkiye/
The European Commission's member responsible for expansion,
Gunter Verheugen, stated that the presence of Turkish soldiers in
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will not be an
obstacle for the TRNC's full membership to the European Union
(EU). During the press conference that was held after the
Turkish-European Union Association Council, Verheugen said, "I
was in the TRNC recently. As I told Mr. Denktas, the presence of
the Turkish army is not an obstacle to full-membership." /Sabah/
EU Ambassadors in Ankara discussed Turkish foreign policy with
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu at a luncheon
yesterday. The Ambassadors reportedly conceded that Turkey has
been playing an active role in its region and has recently taken
initiatives in its region. /All papers/
The Deputy Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Inal
Batu and Deputy Secretary-General Sule Bucak attended the
Socialist Group Meeting of the European Parliament as observers
and associate members yesterday. During the previous meeting of
the Socialist Group, it had been decided that a delegation from
the CHP will attend the group meetings as an associate member
from now on. /Cumhuriyet/
The Minister of the Interior, Sadettin Tantan, issued a statement
prior to his departure from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport to go to
Albania as the official guest of Albanian Interior Minister
Spartak Poci and said that acts of violence were on the rise in
both Turkey and throughout the world. Tantan pointed out that
security forces should take measures before the criminal actions
and prevent these events likely to occur. /Cumhuriyet/
Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk will go to Austria today to
attend the 10th Congress for the Prevention of Crimes and the
Rehabilitation of Criminals organized by the UN. Turk will
deliver a speech to Congress in Vienna on April 14 and point out
the importance of the rule of law in the 21st century.
/Cumhuriyet/
Dutch Interior Minister Kaas de Veries will not cancel his visit
to Turkey on April 19 despite the murder of two English football
fans, who were stabbed to death in Istanbul last Wednesday.
Speaking about the deaths that preceded the Galatasaray-Leed
United match, De Veries said that incident could have taken place
in any country, but unfortunately it happened in Turkey. The
Netherlands is one of the co-hosts of the Euro 2000 Championship
this summer. /Turkish Daily News/
Croatian Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic has called on Turkish
businessmen to invest in his country. In a meeting at the Eurasia
Strategic Studies Center (ASAM) on Monday, Fizulic said Turkish
businessmen should make use of the $180 million Turkish Eximbank
credit allocated for Croatia. Citing tourism as a field for
potential cooperation, Fizulic stated that he was impressed with
what he saw in Antalya and the speed with which Turkish tourism
has developed. Fizulic pointed out that Croatia is willing to
contribute to the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) and the
Manavgat River Project, which Turkey intends to use to sell water
to Israel and other Middle Eastern countries. /Turkish Daily
News/
The Joint Security Committee eatablished to solve security
problems between Turkey and Iran convened yesterday in Ankara.
Turkey once again condemned Iran for its support of both the PKK
terrorist organization's activities within its territories and
for the fundamentalist and terrorist Hizbullah organization.
Turkey also wanted a decision taken concerning the implementation
of 'concurrent operations' against terrorism. Interior Ministry
Deputy Undersecretary Rasih Ozbek is heading the Turkish
delegation while the Security General-Director of Iranian
Interior Ministry Huseyin Mirzai Mulahkar is chairing the Iranian
delegation. /Cumhuriyet/
Spokesman of the Belgian Justice Ministry, Rosanne Germonprez,
stated that there was no decision taken concerning the
extradition of Fehriye Erdal to Turkey and refuted all news to
that end. The Spokesman remarked that the decision would be taken
by Justice Minister Marc Verwilghen and added that the
announcement of this decision would take at least five months.
/Cumhuriyet/
The loan agreement amounting to 1 billion 800 million dollars for
the construction of the Blue Stream Natural Gas Project was
signed in Moscow yesterday. Russian natural gas company, Gazprom,
and the Italian, German and Japanese banks signed this agreement.
This loan agreement envisages the financing of the construction
of the project's land and sea parts that begins from Russia's
Stavropol region and reaches the Black Sea waters and then
Samsun. /Star/
'Defence News' magazine, which is the magazine of the defence
circles in the US, stated that defence relations between Turkey
and the US were enjoying their best period and that Ankara was
preparing to select the 'King Cobra' helicopter, an American
model, during the huge attack helicopter tender amounting to 4
billion dollars. /Aksam/
'Eastern Mediterranean-2000 Cooperative-Joint Naval Manoeuvres,'
which is one of the planned manoeuvres of the Turkish Armed
Forces, has begun. These manoeuvres, which aim to increase the
mutual training and cooperation between the Turkish and allied
naval forces and which is hosted by Turkey, will continue until
22 April both in the Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea. Battle
Fleet's Commander, Vice Admiral Metin Atac will direct the
manoeuvre. /Star/
Russian Border Defence Units Commander Gen.Kosntantin Totski will
begin a two-day visit to Turkey today. According to a statement
from the Border Defence Unit's press office, a cooperation
agreement on border defence will be signed between Turkey and
Russia.
Meanwhile, Turkey and Russia will sign the Black Sea Territorial
Waters Responsible Parties Cooperation Treaty today in Istanbul.
The Coast Guard Commandant stated that a delegation headed by
Lt.Gen.K.V.Totski would arrive from Russia to sign the agreement.
/Turkish Daily News/
The Turkish government's determination to decrease inflation and
maintain reforms is encouraging, said US Undersecretary for
Economic and Business Affairs Alan Larson yesterday. Speaking at
a press conference in Washington, Larson said it would be a
mistake to focus on short-term developments in order to improve
the Turkish economy and US-Turkish economic relations. He said he
was impressed by the emphasis which the Turkish delegation, at
the Turkish-US Joint Economic Council (JEC) meeting two weeks ago
in Washington, placed on Turkey's determination to continue
economic reforms and reduce the high inflation rate. Larson added
that he is pleased that the 'Open Skies' agreement between
Turkish Airlines (THY) and American Airlines has been signed.
/Turkish Daily News/
The warming of relations that began between Turkey and Greece
after the earthquake that occurred in Turkey is beginning to
produce good results in the economic arena. 'Economic Bridge',
which was established by Finance Invest, Global Menkul and Fiba
Holding, will add a new bracket by Garanti Investment. Garanti
Investment is working on two projects together with the biggest
bank in Greece, National Bank of Greece. One of these projects is
Bati Soke Cement Company's public offering and the other project
concerns the 'Special Capital Fund'. Bati Soke Cement Company
will be introduced to investers abroad during a meeting that will
be held today in Athens. Furthermore, the 'Special Capital Fund'
will be established with a capital amounting to 30 million
dollars. /Sabah/
The Third World Turkish Businessmen's Convention has been ended.
Two thousand businessmen from 51 countries have attended the
two-day convention. In addition to President Suleyman Demirel and
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Turkish businessmen, investing in
Turkey or abroad, delivered speechs and talked about issues
concerning them. On the second day of the convention, 13 separate
meetings were held. The Convention was held at Lutfu Kirdar
Congress and Exhibition Centre and 66 firms established their
stands on 800-square metre area. Sabanci Holding, Turkcell, the
Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB),
Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), the Union of Istanbul
Ready-To-Wear Clothes' Exporters and Unit International S.A were
the main sponsors of the convention and the total cost of the
convention was expected to be one million dollars. /Hurriyet/
The Privatization Administration Board (OIB) continues to
implement the privatization programme and in the meantime the
amount of privatization has reached 2.5 billion dollars since the
beginning of this year. This number is the greatest reached by
Turkey since 1985, the year in which privatization work started.
/Sabah/
Today the winner of the GSM tender will be determined. Minister
of Communication, Enis Oksuz, met the Nationalist Action Party
(MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday and gave information on the
GSM tender. Oksuz said, "Tomorrow the winner of the GSM tender
will be determined and we will broadcast the tender on TV. After
the applications were made for the tender, the investigation was
held both in Turkey and abroad. Then, it was decided which
companies were suitable for this work. These companies will
compete with each other in a very competitive and gently manner.
If any company does not obey the rules, then it will be excluded
from the competition. Furthermore, the State will earn money from
this tender." /Sabah/
Demir-Halk Bank, which was established in 1992 with the
cooperation of Turkish Halk Bank and Demirbank, and whose centre
branch is in Holland, opened its 10th branch in Europe, in
Cologne. Demir-Halk Bank's branch in Cologne will be active and
have the authority to operate a variety of banking transactions.
/Sabah/
Siemens A.G.'s General Representative to Turkey, that is, Simko
Trade and Commercial Joint Stock Company and the EGS Group of
Companies decided in principal to cooperatively establish a
company in order to ensure the management and administration of
the the real estate belonging to the EGS Real Estate Investment
Cooperation. It was stated that the projects, which will be
implemented by cooperation between the Simko Company with a rate
of 51% and EGS Company with a rate of 49%, will consist of the
EGS Business Park in Yesilkoy and the buildings and shopping
centres in the Aegean Region. /Aksam/
International rating company, Moody's Investors Service, stated
that Vakiflar Bank's situation was 'positive' and gave the
Vakiflar Bankasi 'B1" for the preference bond without guarantee
that will be made by the Vakiflar Bankasi. Vakiflar Bankasi will
make its borrowing in the euro, with a period extending to the
year 2003. /Aksam/
Chairman of the Turco-Austrian Business Council, Umit Dikmen,
stated that Austria should increase Turkey's share of 1% in the
trade volume. Dikmen, delivering a speech during the
Turco-Austrian Business Council, within the Foreign Economic
Relations Council, said that Turkey would be the tenth biggest
market in the world and that they were happy to see that the
Austrian businessmen were carrying the aim of investing. /Star/
The FNSS Company, a Turco-US partnership based in Ankara, will
participate in the bidding for the purchase of armed vehicles
worth $1.7 billion by the US Land Forces. According to an article
published in 'Defence News' magazine, with the participation of
the FNSS, which previously sold 1,698 armed vehicles to the
Turkish Army, a Turkish company will have the opportunity to take
part in a huge American defence project for the first time.
/Cumhuriyet/
According to the Treasury Undersecretariat, the public and
private sectors will repay a total of $24.782 billion in foreign
debts this year. Out of this total, $19.426 billion constitutes
middle- and long-term debts while $5.356 billion is repayment of
interest. /Cumhuriyet/
Famous British science magazine 'Focus' placed Turkey among the
ten countries in the world where the biggest economic
developments are expected over the next 20 years. In the article,
it was stated that Turkey would experience an 'economic boom' in
2020. Stressing that Turkey was an attractive country for
investors, the article also underlined the fact that among
European countries, Turkey had one of the largest population.
/Turkey/
Turkish and Greek journalists will discuss the role which could
be played by the media in order to further develop relations
between the two countries. Turkish journalists Suleyman Gencel
and Can Dundar and Greek journalists Manolis Mathodokis and
Sophia Voultepsi will deliver speeches at the conference in
Ankara tomorrow, which was organized by seven journalism
organizations. /Cumhuriyet/
The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) 22nd
International April 23 Children's Festivities will be held
between April 16 and 27 in Kusadasi and Selcuk under the
sponsorship of the Koc Conglomerate. TRT General Director Yucel
Yener held a press conference in Istanbul yesterday and said that
nearly 900 children and 300 adults from 41 countries would take
part in the festivities. Yener stated that Greece and Eritrea
would attend the festivities this year for the first time and
added that more than 17,000 guests from 87 countries had been
hosted since 1979. /Cumhuriyet/
Following the incidents which occured last week in Istanbul
resulting in the deaths of two British hooligans before the
football match between Galatasaray and Leeds United, British
fanatics' on-going attacks on Turks are increasing. Encouraging
by certain newspapers, fanatics target especially Turkish
businessmen and their shops in Britian. In the latest incident,
Mehmet Kaya, a Turkish man, was beaten badly in province of Hull
by three British assailants. In addition, about ten thousand
Turks, living around Leeds and Hull provinces, were under threat
of attacks by British fanatics. /Hurriyet/
"Columnist Sami Kohen writes on what should be the next phase of
the Turco-Greek relations. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Now that the Greek General Elections are over, it is time to
consider the next stage of Turco-Greek relations. The fact that
Prime Minister Simitis has remained in power provides an
opportunity to continue the policies of recent months. The
distance covered in the improvement of relations between the two
countries is an important achievement. The previous lack of
confidence felt between the two countries is being replaced by an
atmosphere of trust, which is promising for the future.
Now its time to start talks in the "second lane." Certainly,
great tasks wait to be worked out in the "second lane." Efforts
should be should shown by both sides to carry out the provisions
of the agreements signed. However, as long as the main disputes
are not taken up and sorted out between the two countries, it is
not possible to base relations on solid ground or continue the
process of rapprochement.
In principle, both sides believe that the essential problems
should be solved. However, at present, there are serious
disagreements on how to approach these issues.
Greeks believe that the Cyprus problem is at the top of the
agenda that priority should be given to its solution, and that if
progress is achieved on the issue Turkish-Greek relations would
improve more easily. Athens would like discussions concerning
Cyprus to take place within the framework of the UN resolutions
and with the contribution of the EU...Concerning the Aegean, for
Greece the only problem is the continental shelf and this could
be solved by taking the problem to the International Court of
Justice at the Hague. In general, Greece pins her hopes to the
contributions of the EU in Turco-Greek disputes. In other words
she would like to leave the solution of these problems to the EU.
Turkey believes that there is an on-going process in Cyprus.
Cyprus should not take priority in Turco-Greek relations. A
dialogue is necessary on the Aegean problem. The issue is not
only the continental shelf , but the territorial waters, as well
as disarmament of the Greek islands. Turkey would like to solve
these through negotiations, but if necessary she is willing to go
to the International Court of Justice at the Hague. Another
proposal on the matter which is to increase confidence building
measure in the Aegean.
We have to confront the main issues and not lose the momentum
gained in recent months. A dialogue is necessary to come to an
agreement on how to handle these issues. The warm relations
between Ismail Cem and George Papandreu can provide the grounds
for such a dialogue. Both Foreign Ministers will come together
in New York at the beginning of next month. This could be a good
opportunity for the sides to determine a process on the main
issues. If Prime Minister Simitis comes to Ankara as expected,
important steps can be taken concerning the matter.
The hardest part of the work in Turco-Greek relations is
beginning. The important thing is to utilize a creative and
compromising policy to overcome the difficulties.
Columnist Hasan Cemal writes on ythe Presidential Election. A
summary of his column is as follows:
"The Chairman of the Motherland Party, Mesut Yilmaz said in the
meeting of his party's parliamentary group, that Turkey should
not talk of the Presidential Election day and night. He is
correct. However, the politicans talk of nothing else. In the
recent months nothing else has been discussed. We can say that
some issues which should have taken priority in the agenda of the
Government were neglected.
The meeting of the European Union Partnership Council which took
place after an interval of three years showed that there are some
issues which should be taken up speedily to enable the EU
membership of Turkey. In other words, in the fight against
inflation and for EU membership, the issues which have to be
dealt with both by the Government and the Parliament are
accumulating.
However, the political process is being stifled by the issue of
Presidential Elections. The meeting of the Coalition party
leaders which was expected to take place yesterday was postponed
due to the sickness of the Prime Minister. However one thing is
certain. Prime Minister Ecevit and the Nationalist Action Party
leader Bahceli do not want Motherland Party leader Yilmaz to
become a candidate.
The coalition party leaders may hold a meeting with the
opposition party leaders.If no solution comes out of this
meeting, then Ecevit, Bahceli and Yilmaz may meet to agree on a
candidate within the Parliament or from outside. If this too
fails, and Yilmaz says that he wants to be elected, Ecevit and
Bahceli may meet. Meanwhile, the Motherland Party, the Virtue
Party and the True Path Party may form a block. Or, from 26 April
onwards everyone can go on their own.
Discussion on the Presidential Election will go on.
FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
LEADERS' SUMMIT POSTPONED
TURKISH-EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL COMES TO AN END
TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY STATUS IS BEING QUESTIONED
PAPANDREOU COMMENTS ON TURKEY'S CONTRIBUTION TO HIS SUCCESS
BETTER RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
MOSES' MEETINGS
VERHEUGEN COMMENTS ON TRNC'S MEMBERSHIP TO THE EU
EU AMBASSADORS' MEETING
CHP AT EP
TANTAN VISITS ALBANIA
TURK TO VISIT VIENNA
DUTCH INTERIOR MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEY
CROATIAN ECONOMY MINISTER SEEKS TURKISH INVESTMENT
TURKEY CONDEMNS IRAN CONCERNING TERRORISM
EXTRADITION OF FEHRIYE ERDAL
BLUE STREAM NATURAL GAS PROJECT
STATEMENT OF THE 'DEFENCE NEWS' MAGAZINE
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN-2000 MANOEUVRES
GEN.TOTSKI TO VISIT TURKEY
WASHINGTON PRAISES TURKEY'S RECENT ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
TURCO-GREEK FRIENDSHIP INFLUENCES THE ECONOMY
WORLD TURKISH BUSINESSMEN'S CONVENTION
INCOME EARNED FROM PRIVATIZATION: 2.5 BILLION DOLLARS
THE LAST DAY IN THE GSM TENDER
DEMIR-HALK BANK IN COLOGNE
SIEMENS BECOMES PARTNERS WITH THE EGS
MOODY'S GIVES GOOD MARK TO VAKIFBANK
TURCO-AUSTRIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL
FNSS IN DEFENCE BIDDING
FOREIGN DEBT REPAYMENTS
TURKEY IN FIRST TEN
TURKISH-GREEK JOURNALISTS' CONFERENCE
GREECE AT APRIL 23 FESITIVITIES
BRITISH FANATICS' ATTACKS
FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
TAKING UP THE MAIN ISSUES BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
DISCUSSIONS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BY HASAN CEMAL
(MILLIYET)