SEZER: “TURKEY’S EU NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BEGIN AS SCHEDULED”

ERDOGAN TRAVELS TO RUSSIA

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday traveled to Moscow, Russia, to attend ceremonies today to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Speaking to reporters before his departure, Erdogan said that Turkey would do its best for a settlement when Armenia fully meets its responsibilities. He added that as part of the ceremonies he expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and various other heads of state and government. /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN: “TURKISH POLITICS NEEDS MORE WOMAN DEPUTIES”

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the weekend attended his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) First Woman Branches Congress. Stating that his government is not in “reform fatigue” as certain circles have claimed, Erdogan stressed that Turkish politics needs more woman deputies as their contribution to the quality and development of reforms is invaluable. “A political arena excluding women, mothers and girls -- in other words, half of the population -- is doomed to fail,” he warned. In addition to AKP supporters, woman deputies from Azerbaijan, Algeria, Tunisia and Syria also attended the congress. /Cumhuriyet/

HISARCIKLIOGLU REELECTED TO TOBB HELM

During the 60th general assembly of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) yesterday, Rifat Hisarciklioglu was reelected to the chairmanship of the union for another four years by a unanimous vote. Speaking after his victory, Hisarciklioglu said that the group would preserve its unity. Praising the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) economic policies, Hisarciklioglu called on the government to make more efforts to implement structural reforms. /Sabah/

PREMIER PRAISES GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS, OPPOSITION CRITICIZES

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that his Justice and Development Party (AKP) government would carry out the requirements of the economic program in the coming years. Speaking at the 60th general assembly of the Turkish Union of Chambers of Commodities Exchanges (TOBB), Erdogan said that his government had implemented more structural reforms than any other in Turkish history. Stressing that his government had taken very important steps on privatization, the premier said, “This is because we don’t see the state as a mechanism involved in trade.” Also addressing the gathering, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal underlined that the Turkish economy stood on the shoulders of 80 years of work. “Everybody should respect all governments which worked for the nation,” said Baykal. Commenting on the recently announced 10 percent growth rate, the CHP leader characterized the figure as unrealistic, claiming that there were still many issues many sectors such as construction, textiles, tourism and cars. In addition, True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar also delivered a speech criticizing the government’s economic policies. Pointing to rising unemployment, Agar stated that joblessness was leading to many social problems. /Turkiye/

TURKISH CYPRIOT GOVT WINS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

CHP DEPUTY CHAIR CRITICIZES GOVT’S IMF POLICY

CICEK: “A RETRIAL FOR TERRORIST HEAD APO WOULDN’T BE THE END OF THE WORLD”

TUZMEN LAYS FOUNDATION OF NEW CAIRO TERMINAL

State Minister Kursad Tuzmen and Public Works and Housing Minister Zeki Ergezen over the weekend attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the third terminal of Cairo Airport, whose construction is being done by the Tepe and Akfen Venture (TAV) consortium. “Through its successful projects, TAV has already become an international brand,” said Tuzmen. “This new terminal will boost significantly the passenger capacity of the airport.” He also predicted that transaction volume between Turkey and Egypt would rise in the near future. /Star/
 

FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS

THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE TIME TO SETTLE ACCOUNTS
BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)

Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on Turkey’s place in Europe, saying that Turkey should grasp its role in Europe better. A summary of her column is as follows:

“As we watch the celebrations held to mark Europe’s liberation from Nazi occupation, I see that we look at this day as a ‘matter concerning Europe.’ We view these events as if they are a process taking place outside of us. However, even given the fact that we didn’t take part in World War II, the reasons behind the conflict as well as its outcome are also part of our history.

If half of Europe had not remained under Soviet occupation, could Turkey have taken its present place on platforms weighing heavily on Turkey’s integration with Europe? Would the Ankara agreement be signed, which opens the door to Europe, and would Turkey be seen as a partner of the European market?

Even if we didn’t enter World War II, the VE Day to be celebrated with the participation of European leaders as well as those of the United States and Russia is also a part of our history. If we grasp this situation, it would help us understand our real role in all of the discussions throughout the world.

As for Europe, it is going through an interesting period. The discussions which it had left behind in the pages of history are coming to life again. It has been said that condemning the Nazis is not enough to stop genocide. Some say that both genocides in history and genocides still being carried out must be condemned.

Another subject which should be borne in mind is May 8, the date when Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally, is not a liberation day for all of Europe. This day was a liberation for some countries, but for Germany and Eastern Europe it was the beginning of the Soviet occupation.

This year, under the pressure of Germany and other European Union leaders, the European Union Commission not only celebrated the victory but also said that it was commemorating the innocent victims of past clashes. This process also adds to the pressure on Turkey about the Armenian issue.

Is settling accounts a threat for Europe? No it is not. We should learn Europe’s methods too.”

A HOPELESS LOVE?
BY NAGEHAN ALCI (AKSAM)

Columnist Nagehan Alci comments on German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s visit to Ankara last week and Turkish-German relations. A summary of her column is as follows:

“Looking at the portrait, this is the situation. Turkish Prime Erdogan is running away and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is pursuing. Don’t think that I’m making this ‘absolute nonsense’ comparison, as Erdogan says. I’m only telling you Germany’s stance following Schroeder’s visit to Turkey last week. Yes, maybe for the first time respectable German newspapers described a political visit in such a clear way. They made psychological analyses and described the two prime ministers’ relations this way. According to the portrait, Schroeder came to Turkey as a friend. It didn’t aim to mention his hesitations about the European Union or make criticisms. He even ignored the general thinking that reforms in Turkey have slowed down and said that Turkey’s EU bid shouldn’t be hindered just because of a few faulty minds. In the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine, German columnist Nicolaus Blome described the honorary doctorate ceremony held for Erdogan as ‘exaggerated praise’ and ‘flattery’ not based on truth, that is, a ‘typical Turkish work.’ He added that even the soft style used by Schroeder concerning the Armenian issue wasn’t sufficient to warm up the ice-like Erdogan. Blome also claimed that it was easy for Europe to make things more difficult for Turkey and that Schroeder’s soft style actually gives the message that a Turkey which changes its point of view will be the one ready for membership talks.

Schroeder’s visit fueled discussions that reforms in Turkey have slowed down, and Erdogan described such criticism as absolute nonsense, which is another issue of discussion. This opinion has strengthened Erdogan’s reputation as uncompromising and damaged his ‘democratic’ image. Erdogan should be more even-tempered and make statements more appropriate to political dialogue. In addition, it seems the EU wants to make us tense. EU Commission Representative in Turkey Hansjoerg Kretschmer said that Turkey is far from completing necessary reforms and that even if the Armenian issue wasn’t a criterion for membership, it had an indirect effect. This statement gives the impression that the EU is playing a political game on us. For this reason, Erdogan should avoid impulsive statements and behavior. As we get closer to Oct. 3, Europe is using the so-called Armenian genocide as a trump card, forcing us to make concessions and present us with a fait accompli. In such a critical period, Ankara should avoid rash statements which might damage its determined path.”