BLUE STREAM BY OZGEN ACAR (CUMHURIYET)
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved the Bill on the Liquidation of Emlakbank yesterday. The bills approved by Sezer are on the liquidation of certain funds, the tax exemptions on the merging of banks, five bills on Amendments in Certain Banking Laws and Decrees with the power of laws (KHKs). Meanwhile, IMF Chief Horst Kohler announced that the meeting, during which IMF officials were supposed to discuss the second part of the loan to be given to Turkey amounting $1.5 billion within the scope of IMF Executive Council's eight review in Turkey, was postponed. Kohler expressed the reason for the delay as IMF's concerns over the banking system and the administration of Telecom. Minister of State Kemal Dervis said, within the IMF officials, there might be a lack of information about the recent reforms in Turkey and added that the meeting would be held within four or five days. Dervis said, "There is nothing to be worried about. The IMF needs additional information on certain issues. I will present the necessary information to them. I was aware of the possibility of a postponement. I had informed the Prime Minister about such a possibility." He also added since the IMF had certain questions about the monetary policy, the Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti was invited to the US. /Cumhuriyet/
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved four more bills yesterday apart from the bill on banking. Among the approved bills are the Bill on Amending the Higher Education Law, and Personnel for Higher Education Law, a Bill on approving the Middle East Technical University's (ODTU) establishment of a campus in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the Bill on Social Security Institution for Tradesmen, Artists and other Independent Workers, and a bill on permitting amendments in the Law on Foundations. /Cumhuriyet/
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said IMF's postponement decision for the meeting which was supposed to be held to release the second portion of the loan to be extended to Turkey within the framework of the eight reviewing, was not a matter of concern. Stating that IMF is careful about its demands, Ecevit said as their certain demands are met the meeting would be held. /Cumhuriyet/
The World Bank is expected to give a decision on the approval of the $1.7 billion loan to be delivered to Turkey today. The World Bank Speaker Mapi Buitano stated that he would brief Turkey to Executive Directors Council today. /Milliyet/
Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem met with Yusuf bin Alavi bin Abdullah, his counterpart from Oman, who is paying an official visit to Turkey. At the press conference held following the meeting. Cem said he conveyed Turkey's concern over Cyprus and the views on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) situation in the Islamic Conference Organization. Cem added they agreed to increase economical cooperation between the two countries. Bin Abdullah said, "The Cyprus issue can only be solved on the basis of Turkish and Greek-Cypriots equality. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Bulent Ecevit also received Bin Abdullah and met for a while. /Turkiye/
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas warned on Monday that seeking a settlement of the Cyprus problem could raise more complication on the almost four-decade-old problem on the eastern Mediterranean Island. In a written statement in response to a statement by Greeek Cypriot Government spokesman Michaelis Papapetriu, that EU norms and human rights should constitute the focus of a Cyprus settlement, Denktas said the Greek Cypriot attemps to hide itself behind the EU and continues promoting the fake "government of Cyprus" title would not bring a settlement to the Cyprus problem. /Turkish Daily News/
Parliament Secretary-General Vahit Erdem evaluated Parliament's performance over the last legislative session, saying it has had a productive legislative session. He said at a press conference that a proposed Constitutional amendment was the most important task Parliament has been assigned over this legislative session. Erdem also talked about Parliament's web site, which was opened a year ago. He said that some 60,000 foreign visitors visited the site since it was opened. The site will be revised this month, and from then on, all the bills presented to Parliament will be published on it. /All papers/
The Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen' Association (TUSIAD) criticized IMF's delay of the meeting where the release of the second portion of the loan to Turkey were supposed to be discussed. TUSIAD's written statement said, "The full implementation of the economic program depends very much on the implementation of the flow of the foreign resources on time. This situation constitutes a base for the success of the economic program. As far as the Government's productive attitude is concerned, so far, the IMF should be more careful." /Sabah/
Israeli Defense Minister Benyamin Eliezer is preparing to pay an official visit to Turkey on July 9. According to Israeli defense sources, Eliezer will inform Turkish officials about the latest developments in Israel rather than discuss Turkish-Israeli realtions. He is expected to convey Israel's concern over the recent developments in the region. /Turkish Daily News/
The Swedish Ambassador Henril Liljegren said that Sweden's EU Presidency was successful concerning Turkey. He stated, "During our presidency, Turkey declared her National Programme and The Accession Partnership Document was approved. The political dialogue between Turkey and the EU improved during our presidency." Upon a question if Turkey was successful in meeting the EU criteria, Liljegren said, "Turkey does her job well. I want to congratulate the Secretariat General for EU Affairs chaired by Volkan Vural. The Document was very comprehensive and detailed. However, we still expect implementation from Turkey. Turkey is aware that she has to undergo radical changes." /Cumhuriyet/
Turkey, who wants to begin membership consultations before 2004, demands that the "scrutiny process" be started as soon as possible. Turkey, who received a negative response from the former Term President Sweden, is now expecting a sign from new President, Belgium. The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louis Michel, is expected to express Belgium's views on the scrutiny process during his meetings in Ankara today. The EU previously said that the membership consultations could begin if and only if sufficient works on the political criteria were carried out. /Cumhuriyet/
German former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hans Dietrich Genscher, arrived in Istanbul yesterday. Genscher will give a conference on the EU today all the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Genscher is an official in the organization who carries out lobby activities in favor of Turkey in Europe. /Sabah/
State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu said yesterday that safe passage through the Turkish Straits was unrestricted so long as safety was guaranteed. Speaking at a panel, Mirzaoglu said that his office was carrying out various studies and activities as as to render passage through the Turkish Straits safely and risk-free, and added that a working group had been established under his ministry to work on a Turkish Straits Statute that would meet today's standards. Touching on investments made in the field of vessel construction, Mirzaoglu stated that building vessels was a sector that required much time, energy, and effort, that his ministry had allowed. For the first time this year, the utilization of credits worth $50 million, that they would try to provide similar levels of financing next year. /All papers/
Yesterday, the True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller visited 156 Chechen refugess living in Umraniye, Istanbul for seven months.Ciller said the Chencens situation is a tragedy of humanity and the world should intervene it. /Turkiye/
The Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen will travel to Russia today. He will meet with Russian Federation authorities to discuss bilateral economic relations. He is also expected to join the opening ceremony of the "Turkish Fashion Fair" to be held on July 3-6 in Moscow. /Turkiye/
A Turkish judge, Mehmet Guney, is among the judges who will give the final decision about the former Yugoslavian Head of State Slobodan Milosevich, who was sent to the International War Crimes Court in the Hague. Guney is a member of the UN Court of Appeals which is the appeals organ for the Rhuanda and former Yugoslavia cases. Guney is the first Turkish judge who attained such a high level within the international judicial institutions. /Milliyet/
Motherland Party (ANAP) Central Supreme Decision Board member Vehbi Dicerler announced his candidacy for the ANAP leadership yesterday, with the ANAP General Congress scheduled to take place on August 4-5. Speaking at a conference held at Parliament, Dincerler said that ANAP had lost almost every election since 1991, and added: "The reason behind these failures and the consistent trend of regression is not ANAP's program or its basic principles. It is the mentality and methods of the ANAP leader and party headquarters". /All papers/
A Turkish fundamentalist's request for German citizenship was denied by the Baden-Wurtttemberg Court, the Anatolia News Agency reported yesterday. A statement, which was issued in Mannheim, stated that the individual was a tradesman and member of the Islamic Society and Associations Union (ICCB). /Turkish News/
A new political party named "Radical Change Party (RADEP) was formed. The leader of RADEP, Erhan Eker, argued that the top of the agenda in Turkey after a year would be "famine". RADEP Chairman Fikri Ulusoy held a press conference to introduce their party to media members. He said RADEP was a party of changes. /Cumhuriyet/
A seminar organized jointly by the Turkish, Krygzistan and Kazakhstan Ministries of Education was held in Istanbul. The seminar foresees to promote the Turkish National Education System and Turkish Culture. It will last for two weeks and 10 representatives form Krygzistan and nine from Kazakhistan are attending the seminar. /Turkiye/
The 45th European Quality Congress will be held on Sep. 19-21 in Istanbul. A statement from the Institute of Turkish Standards said European Quality Organization decided to hold the 45th annual meeting in Istanbul thanks to Turkish industrialists showing great importance to quality and accomplishments in recent years. /Turkiye/
Fiba Holding sold the %51 of its share of Finansbank to the French BNP Paribas Bank. The BNP Paribas is the second profitable bank in Europe. The agreement was signed yesterday. /Turkiye/
The Ministry of Culture , aiming to develop Culture Tourism, is showing great importance to the "Silk Road Project." In the scope of the project, the Ministry of Tourism is working on the restoration of inns and caravansaries on the road, cooperating with the Directorate General of Foundations. /Turkiye/
An agreement was signed between the organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the European Economic Commission of the United Nations. Speaking at the signing ceremony, held in the BSEC Center in Istinye, Istanbul, Dr. Danuta Hubner, the Director of the UN Commission, said their realtions with the BSEC have been continuing on a positive path. The agreement is for cooperation for the protection of the environment, energy, trade, industry, small and medium size enterprises, economic analyses and statistics. /Turkish Daily News/
The inflation rates for June and the figures for the first six months of 2001 is expected to be revealed today by the State Institute of Statistics (DIE). /Turkish Daily News/
The Head of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) Okan Oguz said that Turkey which raised export levels up to worth $14 billion during the first six months of the year would achieve exports reaching $30 billion by the end of the year. Oguz delivered a speech at a meeting yesterday for the promotion of the 2000-2001 Report on Exports prepared by the TIM. Oguz stated that State Minister Kemal Dervis' statement concerning the allocation of the $200 million part of the IMF credit for Eximbank would be very beneficial for the exports. /Hurriyet/
Cimsa cement factory, one of the biggest cement producers in Turkey, has received CE standard and Kitemark certificate. The CE means the standards for the protection of security, health and the environment and the consumers in Europe. The products bearing this CE standard have a free-movement right in EU countries while Kitemark is a certificate of the British Standards Institute. /Hurriyet/
Galleria Mall, a huge shopping centre constructed with an investment of $11 million by Turkish businessmen in Constanza, Romania, was opened with a ceremony yesterday. Constanza Galleria Mall is the only shopping centre in Constanza having world standards. Turkish Ambassador to Romania, Omer Zeytinoglu and Consul-General Cengiz Sanay also attended the ceremony. /Hurriyet/
Akbank is preparing to renew its syndication credit amounting to $400 million. Akbank is supposed to make repayments first and run into debts again in August. /Milliyet/
Antalya is having a golden year in tourism. 168 planes landed at Antalya Airport two days ago. For the first half of this year, the number of tourists visiting the city reached 1,764,205. The increase in the numbers was announced as at 50 % compared to last year's same period. /Milliyet/
"The Air Quality and City Development in Izmir Project", developed jointly by German Hannover, Ege AND Dokuz Eylul Universities, received an international award. The project will be presented as a sample in the International Symposium for Preventing the Air Pollution", to be held in Seul, the capital of South Korea, with the contributions of the UN and International Union for Preventing the Pollution in the Air (IUPPA). /Cumhuriyet/
The fourth Aviation Festival, which was held in Bolu ended, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The festival was hosted by Bogazici University, the Bolu Governor's Office and Municipality. It started on June 28 with the participaiton of 10 universities from seven countries. Aviators competed in para gliding both in women's and men's categories.
/Turkish News/
Elton John will stage a concert at the Ancient Open-Air Threatre in Ephesus on July 17. The concert can also be followed on the internet. This concert is expected to be a great opportunity for the promotion of Turkey. /Hurriyet/
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on the new term chairman of the EU, Belgium and relations with Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Term Presidency of the European Union changes hands every six months. Sweden who held this post in the first six months of the year has left her seat to Belgium as of July 1. The European Commission and Council of Ministers determine the EU policies. However, term Presidents also play a significant role in ascertaining priorities and forming new strategies.
For Turkey the viewpoint of the Chairman regarding the EU-Ankara relations and the problems encountered holds great significance.
When Sweden had taken over the post at the beginning of the year, there were some concerns in Ankara. Due to the sensitivity of this northern country on democracy and human rights it was believed that difficulties would arise in the relations between Turkey and the EU. These concerns proved to be futile. Sweden occasionally voiced her criticisms against Turkey but generally in bilateral talks and in a soft style. During Sweden's presidency, important steps have been taken towards Turkey's rapprochement with the EU. Following the declaration of the Accession Partnership Document, the National Programme was announced. The talks between Turkey and the EU increased.
The coming six months will be a period, when difficult decisions regarding Turkish-EU relations will be made. Among the issues, which closely concern Turkey is the ESDP's turning into a professional force, otherwise known as the 'European Army'. Another one is the negotiations with the Greek Cypriot Administration on full EU membership entering their last phase. Furthermore, there is also the problem of beginning the 'screening process' before the negotiations with Turkey. It is expected from Belgium who wants the ESDP to be carried out to contribute actively towards a diplomatic solution, which takes both Turkey's opposition and the EU's wishes into consideration. The pressure stemming from the fact that the issue should be solved by the end of the year, will be felt more as time goes on.
On Cyprus, there is not much Belgium can do. If the talks under the auspices of the UN are resumed, the EU will be relieved. However, as the decision on the issue will be made a year later, Belgium won't have to race against time. Therefore, Turkey will not be hard-pressed. EU diplomats are recalling that Belgium looks favorably upon Turkey's membership if she complies with certain criteria. The Progress Report that shall be published in November will indicate to where the developments will lead. The beginning of the 'screening period' will also be revealed during this time. With the creative contributions of Belgium, the coming six months may be period of progress in Turkish-EU relations."
Columnist Ozgen Acar writes on the 'Blue Stream' natural gas pipeline. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The first concrete step for the important project of natural gas import which will constitute an energy source in the 21st century is expected to be taken in Samsun on Thursday. The next step on the issue will be taken on July 30 in Erzurum. Turkey was importing 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas only from Russia over Thrace.16 billion cubic meters of natural gas for Central Anatolia will also be purchased from Russia. 1213km long Stavropol-Ankara pipeline is also known as 'Blue Stream'. The representatives of the Russian Gazprom Company and the administrators of Turkish Botas firm, which will carry the gas to Ankara, will meet at an interesting ceremony in Samsun on Thursday. The first two pipes of the Blue Stream will be welded in a ceremony and it will be announced to international markets that the pipeline the construction of the pipeline has commenced.
On July 20, 'Castro Oto' ship belonging to Italian Saipem Company, which undertook the laying down of the 396 km. part of the pipeline underwater will pass through the Bosphorus to the Black Sea and will begin its work. This ship is laying pipelines only 200 meters deep.
On August 4, another ship, 'Saipem 7000' also belonging to the Italian Company, which can lay pipes deeper will be in the Black Sea. This ship, which lay pipes in the Mexicon Gulf, Mediterranean and Northern Sea at various levels, is expected to break a world record in the Black Sea with the Blue Stream. In April 2002 the first natural gas to pass through the Blue Stream will reach Ankara. In time the amount that will flow through the pipeline will increase and reach 16 billion cubic meters. The gas received in Thrace will be directed to new consumers, and the Blue Stream will meet the needs of Central Anatolia beginning from Samsun.
The second concrete step will be taken with the reaching of the Iranian natural gas to Erzurum on July 30. Thus, this time next year, an important part of Turkey's need for 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas will have been met. Next in line are the natural gas sources of Azerbaijan and Egypt. Until 2005 they will all begin to be consumed."
