PERSPECTIVES

• Both Turkey and the European Union have certain responsibilities concerning the country's membership process, Oğuz Demiralp, Turkey's secretary general for EU affairs, said on April 1 during the Wilton Park Conference in Istanbul. Stating that the EU is a union of common values and Turkey is ready to meet the requirements for EU membership, Demiralp added, "There are some things that Turkey must do, but the EU has certain responsibilities as well. We mainly expect that the ongoing discussions in Europe on the results of negotiations will stop and that a shadow won't be cast over the negotiations." He added that Turkey expects the EU to open more chapters for negotiation this year, and that the stance of several EU countries' towards Turkey's membership has eroded Turkish public support for the accession process. Jim Murphy, British minister of state for Europe, said that Turkey's membership was of great importance for the EU, as no country can stay alone in the globalized world. He added that new partnerships should be established for the future and that Turkey's EU membership would be a win-win situation.

 

• Turkey is set to host the world congress of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) in May and plans to hold two special sessions during the event with the participation of transportation ministers from 69 countries to revive the historic Silk Road, the world's oldest trade route linking Asia and Europe. The theme of the IRU World Congress, set to be held in Istanbul on May 15-16, will be "Road Transport, Driving Peace and Prosperity." Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev will make the opening remarks at the congress, which will also host a conference of officials from European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Following the gathering, officials are expected to sign a joint declaration expressing their willingness to revive the Silk Road.

 

• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer received UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe on April 1 in Lefkoşa. Pascoe also met with TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias. He was also received by TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Turgay Avcı. Pascoe and a UN delegation met with Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP), and Democrat Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktaş. They both handed letters to Pascoe to be conveyed to UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon. A recent visit by UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe was productive for the Turkish Cypriot side, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) presidential spokesman Hasan Erçakıca said on April 2. "We believe that during his meetings with TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat and other Turkish Cypriot leaders, Pascoe had  the  opportunity  to  see  how  the Turkish Cypriot side sees the issue," Erçakıca said. "The Turkish Cypriot side wants to maintain efforts to find a solution to the problem under the umbrella  of the  good offices mission of the UN secretary-general and with the involvement of the UN. We believe that the contacts Pascoe carried out on Cyprus for three days were beneficial for the process. We also welcome the fact that this was reflected in the statements Pascoe issued to the press at the end of his contacts."

 

• Expectations for a fair solution on Cyprus are high and the leaders want a solution, said B. Lynn Pascoe, UN undersecretary for political affairs, on April 2. "Both sides have a positive approach," Pascoe told a press briefing following three days of talks in Turkish and Greek Cyprus. "I will convey my observations to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The process on Cyprus is really tough. Yet I have seen that the leaders are ready for a solution. The UN will continue to encourage both sides for a solution." Stressing that Ban supports a comprehensive solution on Cyprus, Pascoe said that the opening of the Lokmacı (Ledra) gate between the two sides is an important leap forward and that Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders have to reach a compromise while trying to meet the expectations of their respective peoples. "Differences between the two sides must be overcome," he added. "We must establish a package of measures, and both peoples must support these measures."

 

• The mayor of Munich, Germany, Christian Ude, paid a visit to Istanbul and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on April 3-8. Ude and his delegation arrived in Istanbul at the invitation of Şişli district Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül.

 

• German parliamentarians paid a courtesy call to their Turkish counterparts in Ankara on April 1. The visitors, led by Ulrike Merten, chair of the German Parliament's Defense Committee, met with Hasan Kemal Yardımcı, the head of Parliament's Defense Committee. "We will discuss Afghanistan, Iraq, NATO, and NATO-EU cooperation," Merten said before the meeting.

 

• Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General and Turkish scholar Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu met with new Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Islamabad on April 2. Gillani said that an integrated approach should be taken against the problems Muslims are facing, and condemned attacks against Islam. He also said Islam is a religion of peace. Qureshi also thanked İhsanoğlu for his support for efforts to solve the Kashmir dispute.

 

• A German parliamentary delegation visited Yaşar Yakış, the head of Parliament’s European Union Harmonization Committee, on April 2. Turkish-EU relations as well as Ankara's EU membership reforms were discussed at the meeting between Yakış and  the  German  delegation,  led  by  Ruprecht  Polenz.  The delegation also visited

Murat Mercan, the head of Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee. Speaking at the meeting, Mercan stressed the importance of relations between Turkey and Europe, which have historical and strategic dimensions.

 

• Britain's Labour Party has nominated Nilgün Canver to run for a seat in the European Parliament next year. Canver serves on London's City Council representing Haringey in north London, where many ethnic Turks live. If elected, Canver will be the first Turkish-British politician in the EP. She has been in politics for 12 years as a member of the Labour Party.

 

• A high-level official from the European Commission on April 2 characterized EU accession as a marathon and a difficult process. At a conference on Turkish-EU relations in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, Christian Danielsson from the EC'S Enlargement Directorate General said that the main goal of Turkey's negotiations with the EU is full membership and that this depends on Turkey's fulfillment of certain requirements. "Progress in this process depends directly on the progress in Turkey," said Danielsson. He added that EU accession is a difficult process and that the bloc's rules are not flexible. EU official also said Turkey needs to make more progress in political reforms, stating that freedom of expression, labor and union rights, and women's and children's rights are important issues in this regard.

 

• Turkish parliamentarians and a visiting European Parliament delegation held talks in Ankara on April 4. Members of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Committee met at Parliament ahead of the committee's 59th meeting set to take place in Brussels on May 27-28. The meeting was presided by Yaşar Yakış and Joost Lagendijk, the committee's co-chairs. Officials discussed the upcoming Brussels meeting, as well as recent developments in Turkish-EU relations. The delegation also paid a courtesy call to Burhan Kuzu, the head of Parliament's Constitutional Commission.

 

• Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan received officials from Germany, the Philippines and Denmark in his office on April 3. The speaker separately received German Parliament Foreign Commission Chair Ruprecht Polenz, Philippines Ambassador in Ankara Bahranim A. Guinomla, and Danish Ambassador in Ankara Jesper Vahr.

 

• State Minister Said Yazıcıoğlu received Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Sarybay in Ankara on April 4. "To start with we want to increase our bilateral trade volume from $2 million to $5 million, and then to $10 million," said Yazıcıoğlu. He added that joint economic commission meetings in Turkey should strengthen ties between the two countries. For his part, Sarybay said he would discuss further steps to boost bilateral relations.

 

• A European Parliament delegation paid a courtesy call to Parliament's EU Harmonization Committee head on April 4. Accompanied by fellow MEPs, Andrew Duff,  vice  chair  of  the  Turkey-EU  Joint  Parliamentary  Committee, paid  a  visit to Harmonization Committee head Yaşar Yakış. Other Turkish deputies also attended the closed-door meeting.

 

• Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulit arrived in Ankara at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan on April 7. Sisoulit's visit, the first ever by a high-level Laotian official, took place on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Laos.

 

• Babacan met with Sisoulit on April 7. "Sisoulit came to Ankara for comprehensive and helpful talks," said Babacan. "Sisoulit's visit to Turkey is important for developing bilateral relations and discussing regional and international issues pertaining to the two countries. We agreed with Sisoulit to continue high-level meetings between Turkey and Laos in the future." President Abdullah Gül also received Sisoulit. "I would like to thank both the Turkish government and Babacan for their warm welcome and hospitality," Sisoulit said for his part. Sisoulit also pointed to economic and tourist developments and investments in Laos over the past two years.

 

• Analysts, strategists and scientists from all around the world convened in Istanbul to discuss economic, social, political and cultural developments in the world, the region, and Turkey. Representatives of groups from 24 countries met for the "Think Tank Organization Dialogue of Turkey: Peace Civilization" meeting organized by the Turkish-Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM) on April 7-12. Following meetings in Istanbul, participants were scheduled to meet high-level Turkish officials in Ankara. Speaking at the opening session, TASAM head Süleyman Şensoy said, "After the September 11 attacks, many balances, regional roles and definitions in the world changed. Many problems, like energy policies, ecological changes and international terrorism, have emerged, and many countries were affected by them in an asymmetrical way." Şensoy said that there were signals that international balances would change significantly in the medium and long terms. After Asia, Africa will also be an important development zone, and the African continent will have an important place in 10 or 15 years, he added.

 

• Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan visited Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing on April 7. Jiabao congratulated Toptan on being elected to his post and on the ruling Justice and Development's (AKP) success in last summer's elections. "The friendship between Turkey and China goes back many centuries" he said. "Parliamentary relations between the two countries are excellent. Your visit to China will boost relations between our countries." For his part, Toptan stated that this is his fourth visit to China. Saying how China shows further development with each passing visit, he added, "We are pleased to see an increase in relations with China in all areas. We are happy to witness an increase in our trade volume with China." Toptan also met with Wu Bangguo, chair of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Speaking to reporters, Toptan said that China supports Turkey's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2009-2010. "Turkey and China also share the same view of the Cyprus issue," he added. Toptan said that Turkey and China also agreed on the necessity for joint efforts against terrorism. Toptan also met with Ismail Tiliwaldi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. "Your visit will contribute to friendship and cooperation between our two countries," Tiliwaldi told Toptan during their meeting. For his part, Toptan said Turkey and China can boost their relations in every

area, particularly between their parliaments. Toptan also visited the Great Wall of China. Toptan met with a senior official from the People's Congress of the Shaanxi province and Yang Yong Mao, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi People's Congress. Mao told reporters that he was very impressed by Turkey when he visited it last year. Mao said Toptan's visit was an important step towards strengthening ties between the two countries. He added that there was potential for growth in the areas of the economy, culture and religion. Saying that they want to export olive trees from Turkey and produce olive oil in China, Mao asked for Toptan's support on this. Mao added that there was room for collaboration in scientific research. For his part, Toptan said Turkish-Chinese relations have always run smoothly. Toptan said they discussed ways to overcome the imbalance in the trade volume between the two countries on Turkey's end.

• The Istanbul Greater Municipality opened a new facility in Belgium on April 8, said Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş. The facility opened in Brussels to help support Istanbul as the 2010 European Capital of Culture. In November 2006, the European Council declared Istanbul, together with Pecs, Hungary and Essen, Germany, as European Capitals of Culture for 2010. "This will be a multidimensional communication and culture platform," Topbaş told reporters, adding that the facility will not only support Turkey's EU accession process but also bring it culturally closer to the Union. The facility includes an exhibition hall, meeting hall, conference hall, a library focusing on Istanbul and Turkey, and administrative units.

 

• A group of lawmakers led by Hasan Murat Mercan, chairman of Parliament's Foreign Relations Commission, visited Israel and Palestine on April 6-10. The delegation met with Israeli and Palestinian officials and also visited Israel's Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA). The delegation firstly met separately with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Parliament Speaker Dalia Itzik, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and several parliamentarians. Mercan and Peres discussed Turkish-Israeli relations  and  the  Iran  and  Iraq  issues.  For his part, Mercan expressed Turkey's sensitivity concerning Iraq. Itzik said that Turkey had taken an important role in talks between Israel and Syria for peace. Mercan invited Itzik to Turkey on behalf of Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan. Mercan also gave a conference on Turkey's foreign and domestic policies at Tel Aviv University, and had a meeting with Jews of Turkish descent. The group proceeded to Palestine on April 9 and met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah.

 

• Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Güler left for Budapest, Hungary on April 8. Güler held several bilateral talks in Hungary on energy issues. He was received by Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and held talks about the Nabucco pipeline project. Afterwards, Güler said that Turkey and Hungary had decided  to  act  jointly  to  implement the project in the shortest possible time, adding that Gyurcsany extended full support for the project. Güler also held talks with Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz, Economics and Transportation Minister Csaba Kakosy, and members of the Hungarian Parliament's Energy Subcommittee.

 

• A delegation of Czech deputies visited Turkey at the invitation of Parliament's EU Harmonization Committee. Members of the Czech House of Representatives' European Affairs Committee arrived in Ankara on April 8, and they met with EU Harmonization Committee acting Chair Lütfi Elvan. Turkey-Czech Republic Friendship Group head Hüseyin Tuğcu hosted a working luncheon in the delegation's honor the same day. The delegation met separately with Deputy Parliament Speaker Güldal Mumcu and Soner Aksoy, the head of Parliament's Industry Committee. The delegation proceeded to Istanbul on April 10.

 

• Land Forces Commander Gen. İlker Başbuğ traveled to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on April 9 to inspect troops stationed there. Başbuğ was received by TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat, Parliament Speaker Fatma Ekenoglu and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer. Afterwards, Başbuğ said, "All the Turkish units on the island since 1974, when the Cyprus Turkish peace operation took place, have brought peace and security to Cyprus. Today, the TRNC is a reality. If you are urging a comprehensive, permanent and just solution, you have to accept this reality. The Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command and its units brought peace not only to the TRNC but also to the whole island since 1974. The Turkish Armed Forces have always supported Turkish Cypriots, and will continue this support." For his part, Talat said that he has strived to realize a just and lasting political solution. Saying that Turkish Cypriots are struggling for equality, and that the TRNC should be developed economically, socially and culturally, Soyer added, "The case for equality is pursued in the TRNC thanks to Turkey's contributions and support."

 

• Bosnia-Herzegovina's top diplomat in Ankara paid a four-day visit to southeastern Anatolia. Ambassador Nada Jankovic arrived in Şanlıurfa as the first stop of her visit to the region. "Ever since my tenure in Ankara began, I have been curious about Şanlıurfa. This city is historically rich and offers tourists diverse values," she said.

 

• The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Republic of Guinea on April 8 signed a protocol on providing state specialization scholarships to Guinean citizens. The protocol was signed by TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Turgay Avcı and Guinean Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning Ousmane Dore.

 

• Health Minister Recep Akdağ met with Kuwait's Health Minister Abdallah al-Abd al-Rahman Tawil in Ankara on April 9. Stressing that cooperation between Turkey and Kuwait has developed thanks to mutual visits, he said, "We want to improve this cooperation in the area of health too. Turkey and Kuwait signed a protocol for cooperation in the healthcare sector." He added, "Special representatives from the two countries will give quarterly reports about progress in the sector." Akdağ said that they decided to give priority to three issues: the treatment of Kuwaiti patients in Turkey, exchange of medicines and medical equipment needed by Kuwait, and joint steps which will be taken on projects in Turkey. For his part, Tawil said that they will continue their joint activities.

 

• Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Çicek and the accompanying delegation attended the Southeast European countries deputy prime ministers meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria on April 9. The meeting focused on preparations and precautions for natural disasters. Çiçek said that regional countries should take joint concrete steps to prevent and repair damage caused by natural disasters. At the end of the meeting, a declaration was issued saying the countries would work to strengthen cooperation.

 

• Britain's Queen Elizabeth will pay an official visit to Turkey on May 6. The queen will arrive in Turkey at the invitation of President Abdullah Gül. While in Turkey, Elizabeth and husband Prince Philip will visit the western province of Bursa, in addition to other areas. Bursa is the province where the Ottoman Empire was founded, and once was its capital.

 

• The Turkish Cypriot president and prime minister met with an Azerbaijani politician on April 9. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat and Premier Ferdi Sabit Soyer had separate meetings with Ali Ahmadov, the executive secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party. Ahmadov paid an official visit to TRNC at the invitation of Foreign Minister Turgay Avcı. During their meeting, Soyer said the Azerbaijani and Turkish Cypriot peoples have been subjected to double standards, and told Ahmadov that the Turkish Cypriot people are determined to end their isolation and give the TRNC the place in the world it deserves. Ahmadov said Azerbaijan will always stand by the TRNC and that he hopes that TRNC will reach a just and lasting solution as soon as possible. The Azerbaijani politician invited TRNC officials to his country to boost bilateral relations.

 

• Georgian State Minister for Diaspora Affairs Iulon Gagoshadze arrived in Turkey on April 10. Gagoshadze met with local officials and representatives of the Georgian community living in the western province of Bursa and other provinces before proceeding to Ankara. Gagoshadze returned to Georgia on April 18.

 

• American-Turkish Council (ATC) Chairman James Holmes said at a conference in Washington that he has full confidence in the maturity of Turkish democracy as well as the country's institutions. On the possible impact of the closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party, Holmes said it has not caused an economic crisis, which shows that Turkey has established a strong macroeconomic environment thanks to its reforms over the last several years. Holmes said that Turkish democracy is experienced, and Turkey's democratic institutions, courts and rules can deal with problems. Regarding Turkish-US relations, Holmes said that relations between the two countries were a matter of concern last fall, but today the situation has changed, and he is optimistic about relations. Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül, state ministers Mehmet Şimşek and Kürşad Tüzmen attended the ATC conference. Panels on communications technology, health, diplomacy, politics, energy, education and military which concern both Turkey and the US were held as part of the meeting.

 

• Reforms should dispel the concerns of some sectors of Turkish society, President Abdullah Gül told a meeting of the Turkish-EU Joint Consultative Committee in Istanbul on April 10. Gül also said Turkey's European Union accession reforms would help it emerge from the current divisive atmosphere as a stronger country. "So I think we have to continue the reform process without any interruption," Gül said, adding that the reforms would also make Turkey stronger in its region. "Concrete progress could be seen in many areas in Turkey after the country started to adjust itself to the EU acquis and criteria," he said, citing such changes as abolishing capital punishment, banning torture and mistreatment, improving women's rights, securing women's equal status and expanding freedom of thought and the right to organize. Gül underlined the importance of Turkish-EU relations for not only the two parties but also the region and the world. "If we accomplish Turkish-EU integration in the end, this will have a positive impact on regional peace, stability and welfare," Gül explained. Gül  said  positive   effects   might   also   be  seen  in energy security and environmental protection and solving global problems such as illicit drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism. Saying that Turkey's priority was to completely fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria, he told the participants that Turkey still has many things to do. "Further meetings of this committee will strengthen Turkey's accession bid and bring Turkey and the EU closer to each other," he explained.

 

• French Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet visited Turkey on April 17-18 to meet Turkish businessmen in Istanbul as well as Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. Jouyet was also received by President Abdullah Gül. Turkey's bid to join the EU, a proposed Mediterranean union and regional issues were all discussed. France will assume the EU's rotating presidency on July 1.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the Turkish-EU Joint Consultation Committee in Istanbul on April 11. Erdoğan said that Turkey's EU membership would make valuable contributions to the Union. "We are coming not to be a burden on the EU, but to lift burdens from its shoulders," Erdoğan told the meeting, and he reaffirmed that "Turkey is utterly determined" to join the Union. "Turkey does not have the slightest hesitation or any question mark in its mind about its goal to join the EU, and I do not agree with critics who say that our country's reforms process has slowed down." Erdoğan said. "Despite all the hurdles and attempts to discourage us, Turkey is marching down its EU path with the same decisiveness and enthusiasm." Stating that there are countries in the EU that have not yet met the requirements of the Copenhagen political criteria and the Maastricht economic criteria, he added, "There are EU members that have not yet met the requirements of the EU acquis. We plan to make all the necessary legal arrangements in Turkey to be in harmony with the EU acquis by 2013. We look at 2008 as the year for a leap towards the EU."

 

• Deputy Prime Minister Cicek paid a visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of Kemmalladin Heydarov, the minister of emergency situations. After meeting with Heydarov, Cicek said that Azerbaijan and Turkey are like members of the same family. Stating that Turkish-Azerbaijani ties are important for regional peace, he added, "I was pleased to see Azerbaijan more developed since my last visit there. We are honored and happy to see that Azerbaijan has reached many of its goals. Peace, stability and development in Azerbaijan are important for peace in the region." For his part, Heydarov cited Atatürk's statement "Azerbaijan's happiness is our happiness and Azerbaijan's sadness our sadness" and late Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev's formulation "One nation, two states" to describe relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. "We have received assistance from Turkey in many different areas in the past. We will make use of Turkey's experiences in areas such as fires and earthquakes," Heydarov added. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also received Çiçek during his stay.

 

• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat walked into the Greek Cypriot side at the Lokmacı crossing on April 11. Talat told reporters that his visit was meant to send a message of solution, peace and friendship. "Opening  the  crossing  is  a  favorable  development,  but  the  Cyprus  problem still exists," he said. "I am committed to work for peace on the island. I want to find a solution through negotiations."

 

• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat held a meeting with members of technical committees and working groups which were set up under a recent agreement. On March 21, Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias decided to establish technical committees and working groups which would work on substantial and technical issues about Cyprus. Talat said that the agenda of many of the technical committees and working groups had been set. He said that this was the first meeting, and added that another meeting could be held on April 21. Talat's Special Representative for EU and UN talks Özdil Nami and Greek Cypriot Administration Commissioner George Iacovou also met on April 11.

 

• A Turkish-US association held its annual conference at Boston's Harvard University on April 11-13. Banu Onural, chair of the Turkish-American Scientists and Scholars Association (TASSA), said that the fourth annual conference would mainly focus on the "Innovation as Driver for Social Transformation and Economic Growth." "People contributing to innovation are attending our annual conference," Onural said.

 

• Air Forces Commander Gen. Aydoğan Babaoğlu arrived in Beijing at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xu Qiliang on April 12. Babaoğlu also met with Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and visited the cities of Xian and Hangzhou during his five-day stay.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on April 12 called on countries to cooperate against the dangers threatening cities worldwide. Speaking at the First International Local Administrations Symposium organized by the Istanbul office of the ruling Justice and Development Party, Erdoğan said cities can cooperate on technological and infrastructural issues, but cooperating against threats has become a necessity, rather than an opportunity. "At a time when terrorism and threats are also globalizing, we have no other alternative to solidarity," Erdoğan added. Commenting on reforms carried out in Turkey in recent years, Erdoğan said Turkey has worked successfully at the local, national and international levels. "We have supported all our successes with local reforms," he said. Erdoğan also said he believed both development and democratization processes start at the local level. Attending the symposium were local officials and scholars from Albania, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jordan,Morocco, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Syria and the United States. The participants discussed administration and organization, urban and environmental problems, local economic development, local social development, and cooperation among local administrations. The symposium ended with the release of a declaration.

 

• Turkey and Pakistan conducted a joint military exercise on April 19-30. The Indus Vipers 2008 military exercise was staged at an airbase in Sargodha, Pakistan, Turkey's Air Forces Command said on its website. Turkey took part in the exercise with five F-16 jets and 49 personnel. The exercise aimed to boost cooperation between Turkish and Pakistani air forces.

 

• A reception was held on April 12 prior to the 27th annual conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC). Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül as well as State Ministers Mehmet Şimşek and Kürsad Tüzmen and US Ambassador in Ankara Ross Wilson attended the reception. The conference is meant to develop economic, commercial, military and diplomatic relations between Turkey and the United States. Turkish Ambassador in Washington Nabi Şensoy hosted the reception. President Abdullah Gül sent a message to the conference saying that Turkey and the US have a sound partnership thanks to their security and defense cooperation. Gül said that Turkish-US relations have matured over the years to become a strategic partnership. Saying that special relations between Turkey and the US are based on principles such as democracy, freedom, human rights, laws and the free market economy, he added, "Strategic partnership between the two countries serves not only the interests of Turkey and the US but also the protection of peace, stability and security." In his message to the conference, US President George W. Bush said that Turkey and the US work closely together to "advance peace and stability in the world." Bush added that the two countries share a determination to maintain peace and security around the globe and that the ATC meeting was an important opportunity to discuss major issues and strengthen bilateral ties.

 

• Ramiz Rzayev, the chief justice of Azerbaijan's Supreme Court, separately met with Turkish Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin and Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Justice Hasan Gerçeker. Şahin said during the meetings that cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan should be developed in the field of justice, and that the two countries help each other on legal matters. For his part, Rzayev said that there was a need to bring the Turkish and Azeri legal systems closer, and his country had been working towards that end.

 

• Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan paid an official visit to Slovenia at the invitation of his Slovenian counterpart France Cukjati on April 15. Afterwards, at a joint press conference with Cukjati in Ljubljana, Toptan said constitutional changes that would carry Turkey's EU process forward may be more realistic than a sweeping package. Later, Toptan met with Jozef Jerovsek, who heads the Slovenian parliament's committee on foreign policy, and Anton Kokalj, who heads the committee for EU affairs. Proceeding to Germany the next day, Toptan met with the head of the North Rhine Westphalia State Parliament in Dusseldorf. Toptan returned to Turkey on April 17  after  meeting  with  Armin   Laschet,  North  Rhine   Westphalia's  minister  for generations, family, women and integration. Then, after visiting the Center for Studies on Turkey in Essen, Germany, Toptan said Turks living in Germany should prioritize their children's education. "Turks face some problems in Germany. We told German authorities about our concerns," he said.

 

• Foreign Minister Ali Babacan paid an official visit to Britain on April 14-15 at the invitation of David Miliband, Britain's secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs. Bilateral relations, Turkey's EU membership negotiations, and regional and international issues were discussed during Babacan's visit. Babacan met with Miliband in London on April 14, with Turkey's Ambassador in London Yiğit Alpogan and Britain's Ambassador in Ankara Nick Baird also in attendance. Speaking at a press conference, Miliband said that Britain is proud to have very strong ties with Turkey. "We discussed bilateral and regional issues today," Miliband said. "We look at Turkey as a strong force in its region. We reaffirmed Britain's support for Turkey's EU membership bid." For his part, Babacan said, "Relations between Turkey and Britain are excellent. There was a trade volume of $14 billion last year between our two countries. Every year, Turkey attracts 2 million British tourists. Britons are among the largest foreign buyers of property in Turkey." After signing a strategic partnership document, Turkey and Britain developed a common look at issues, Babacan added. "We are pleased to see Britain's support for Turkey's EU membership bid," he said. On Cyprus, Babacan stressed that there is a new optimism about prospects for a solution. "We are continuing with positive, constructive efforts after the recent elections in Greek Cyprus," Babacan said. Both Babacan and Miliband stressed that any solution must follow United Nations parameters. Babacan was also received by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and met with British businessmen and finance and media circles. He also spoke at a conference at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, a British think-tank. Babacan said Ankara's reforms were aimed at strengthening secularism, not weakening it, adding that Ankara has promoted democratic rights, key freedoms and the rule of law. He said sweeping constitutional changes are being prepared because Turks deserve them, adding that the Constitution defines the country as a democratic, secular, social state of law, and this can never be altered. "Nobody has any intention of changing these provisions," Babacan said. Relations between Turkey and Britain are excellent, Babacan told reporters at Turkey's Embassy in London. Babacan added that the EU cannot ignore developments in a candidate country. "They make efforts to understand what's going on in Turkey," he explained. "We have to take steps carefully. These developments are very important for us in terms of Turkish-EU relations."

 

• Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt travelled to Cairo, Egypt on April 14 a four-day official visit. Büyükanıt first visited the Castle of Salahaddin and its military museum. Then he met with President Hosni Mubarak and held talks with Defense Minister Marshal Hussein Tantani and his Egyptian counterpart Sami H. Enan. Büyükanıt also visited tombs of Turkish soldiers who died during World War I. Turkey is working to improve relations with Egypt in response to Greece's recent efforts to do the same. This was Büyükanıt's first invitation to visit from a foreign president.

 

• Turkey and Egypt signed an agreement to improve military relations and cooperation. Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt paid an official visit to Egypt on April 14-17 and met with his Egyptian counterpart Mar. Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who is also the defense minister, the Turkish military said in a statement. The statement said that Büyükanıt and Tantawi agreed to improve and further bilateral military ties and cooperation and that a memorandum of understanding was signed on April 16. The agreement will boost military relations between the two countries' armed forces, it said.

 

• An official commission gathered on April 15 in Ankara to promote better security cooperation between Turkey and Iran. During the two-day meeting of the 12th High Security Council, the respective Turkish and Iranian delegations were chaired by Interior Ministry Undersecretary Osman Gunes and Deputy Interior Minister Abbas Mohtajand. The talks focused on the fight against terrorism and trafficking in drugs, arms and people.

 

• Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid visited Turkey on April 15 at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan. Shahid's visit was the first high-level official visit from the Maldives to Turkey. During the visit, delegations from the two countries held meetings led by Babacan and Shahid. Opportunities to improve bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues were discussed during the talks. Shahid also was received by President Abdullah Gül, and he met with Turkish business circles in Istanbul. State Minister Said Yazıcıoğlu met with Shahid on April 16. Afterwards, Yazıcıoğlu said that Turkey and the Maldives support each other and cooperate in international meetings of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). He said that they were expecting Maldives to support Turkey's candidacy for a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2009-2010. For his part, Shahid said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to the Maldives after the 2004 tsunami disaster had been an important gesture, and thanked Turkey for its assistance to the Maldives. Shahid added that his country supports Turkey's bid for a nonpermanent UN Security Council seat.

 

• Environment and Forestry Minister Veysel Eroğlu left for Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on April 15 to attend the Second Regional Meeting on the 2009 Fifth World Water Forum, set to be hosted by Turkey. Eroğlu said that Turkey has expertise in water technology and that Turkish contractors are much sought after for such projects abroad, adding, "Turkish contractors are number three for water investments in the world." He said Turkey is currently sharing its experience and knowledge   of   water technology  with  Russia,  Ukraine,   Romania,  Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Sudan and countries in the Middle East. Speaking to the meeting, Eroğlu stressed the need for water conservation and efficient water use policies.

 

• The UN wants Turkish and Greek Cypriot working groups to start negotiations on core issues in their dispute very soon, UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe told reporters on April 16. Pascoe reaffirmed his optimism for reaching a solution after his meetings with the parties on Cyprus, saying that he presented an affirmative report to the UN Security Council. Pascoe said they all know there are very complicated issues that need to be solved. Stating that efforts are underway to establish working groups on important matters and that the process is moving quite well, Pascoe added that the UN wants these groups to start to negotiate core issues. Reaffirming that he believes Turkey strongly support efforts to find a solution, Pascoe cited senior Turkish officials' statements to this effect. Pascoe said the UN secretary general might appoint a special Cyprus representative after working groups finish their work successfully.

 

• A meeting last fall in Washington between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President George W. Bush was a turning point in the fight against the terrorist PKK, and afterwards concrete results were achieved in Turkish military operations in northern Iraq, Defense Minister Vecdi Gönul told a conference held by the Turkish-American Council in Washington on April 15. "Turkey places great importance on US cooperation and intelligence-sharing in the fight against the terrorist group, and I would like to thank the US administration for that," he said. Gönül expressed hope that an Armenian resolution on the incidents of 1915 would not reach the floor of the US Congress, as this could seriously damage Turkish-US relations. He added that bilateral relations got stronger after the resolution was stopped and also thanks to cooperation against the terrorist group.

 

• State Minister Mustafa Said Yazıcıoğlu met with Georgian State Minister for diaspora affairs Iulon Gagoshadze in Ankara on April 16. Speaking at the meeting, Yazıcıoğlu said neighboring Turkey and Georgia enjoy good relations, expressing hope that these would be grow stronger still. Gagoshadze praised Turkey as "the best and the closest neighbor to Georgia," and requested support for his country's bid to join NATO.

 

• Foreign Minister Ali Babacan traveled to Pakistan on April 18 for a two-day official visit at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Babacan said that he and Qureshi discussed bilateral relations as well as regional issues. Babacan also held meetings with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani.

 

• Health Minister Recep Akdağ left on April 17 for an official meeting of EU health ministers in Slovenia, which holds the rotating EU presidency. Akdağ told reporters that at the meeting he spoke with officials of EU countries about developments in health in Turkey. He also held several bilateral meetings.

 

• Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that the European Union's counterpart in the Black Sea region should be the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). At the 18th BSEC Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Kiev, Ukraine on April 17, Babacan said, "BSEC members have the chance to periodically gather together to discuss joint problems regarding their common future." He added, "The BSEC has an important role to play in relations with the EU. It is Turkey's wish to see that the EU's counterpart in the Black Sea region is the BSEC. The first EU and BSEC foreign ministers meeting took place in Kiev in February. After the meeting we began working on concrete projects. The EU and BSEC have common projects in the areas of transportation, communications and energy. There are also plans for the security and defense of countries bordering the Black Sea. We hope that the defense ministers and chiefs of general staff of Black Sea countries will meet from time to time to discuss issues concerning the region." Babacan also met with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Ohryzko on April 17 and held meetings with BSEC member countries' foreign ministers to discuss bilateral and international matters.

 

• Bureaucrats from the Macedonian Parliament received certificates on April 18 after taking a legislative course at the Turkish Parliament. The bureaucrats had taken a one-week course on information and experience sharing on legislation at Parliament. The program was co-offered by the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency and the Turkish Legislation Association.

 

• Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik on April 21 paid an official visit to Ankara at the invitation of her counterpart and chief negotiator for Turkey's EU talks Ali Babacan. Plassnik met with Babacan and also was received by President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking at the opening of a Turkish-Austrian Neighborhood Workshop in Ankara's State Guesthouse, Babacan said Turkey had made remarkable political reforms and taken important steps in its EU bid. Babacan thanked Austria for its support for Turkey's EU bid and said both countries have stable foreign policies in a region full of challenges and opportunities. Turkey has been carefully watching developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina and an expected partnership agreement between the EU and Bosnia-Herzegovina carries great importance, Babacan said. Turkey highly value Kosovo and has sound ties with it, he said. "Preserving peace and stability in the Balkans is a priority for Turkey," Babacan said. For her part, Plassnik said Turkey has gone through a very impressive reform process which carries great importance for both its economy and political system. Austrians are making important investments in the Balkans, she said. Stating that her country places great importance on the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), she added that the Black Sea region has a huge potential for economic growth. In Istanbul, visiting the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Plassnik told reporters that the cultural differences between Turkey and the EU were not a problem. Plassnik said that the EU slogan of "a union of differences" can also be applied to religion. Plassnik later met with Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos, and  visited  the  Hagia  Georgi  Church. Plassnik told reporters afterwards that it was important to promote dialogue between religions and cultures. She also held a meeting with Istanbul Mufti Mustafa Çağrıcı.

 

• Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoğlu visited the US on April 21- 27 as part of celebrations of the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad. Bardakoğlu held talks in New York and Washington, DC. He also spoke at Columbia and Harvard universities. Bardakoğlu said that in the five centuries following the conquest of Istanbul various ethnic and religious groups enjoyed religious freedoms there. "At a time when nobody even talked about human rights, religious groups lived with great freedom, elected their own leaders, managed their own worship and opened their own schools," said Bardakoğlu. Stressing that the same tradition of tolerance continued in modern Turkey, he said that under the secular structure of the Republic of Turkey, Muslim and non-Muslim citizens are equal before the law and enjoy equal rights. "Our Religious Affairs Directorate is an institution providing people with accurate knowledge of Islam, and protects religious freedoms," he added. Bardakoğlu said he supports Turkey's EU bid and that it presents a great opportunity to promote true Islam. He said this would save the EU from a single dominant religion and broaden its horizons. Bardakoğlu also met with the Harvard Divinity School Dean William Graham, and spoke with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Bardakoğlu later met with Congressman Ed Whitfield, the co-chair of the US Congress' Turkish friendship group. Speaking at the Catholic University of America, Bardakoğlu told about the experience of Muslim Turkish culture coexisting with other religious groups.

 

• Politicians from Slovenia, which now holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on April 18. Members of the second-biggest opposition party in Slovenia met with Turkish Cypriot officials in Lefkoşa, the TRNC. Katarina Kresal, chair of the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia (LDS) party, and an accompanying delegation had brief meetings with President Mehmet Ali Talat, Premier Ferdi Sabit Soyer, and TRNC Foreign Minister Turgay Avcı.

 

• Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott, commander of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, met with Air Forces Commander Gen. Aydoğan Babaoğlu in Ankara on April 21. Babaoğlu told reporters before the meeting that the commander would attend Anzac Day ceremonies in Gelibolu (Gallipoli) on April 25, adding that the two would also have a chance to exchange views. Lintott also said that air forces of Turkey and New Zealand have taken part in international operations such as ones in Afghanistan.

 

• Iraqi Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Naseer al-Abadi on April 21 paid an official visit to Ankara at the invitation of his counterpart Gen. Ergin Saygun. Abadi met with military officials at General Staff headquarters, and issues such as Turkey's cross-border operations into northern Iraq against the terrorist PKK, border safety and the training of Iraq's armed forces were discussed. Abadi also met with Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt and Saygun.

 

• State Minister Mustafa Said Yazıcıoğlu arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on April 21. Yazıcıoğlu visited the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) Coordination Office in Uzbekistan and met with officials of Uzbekistan's Agriculture Ministry. Yazıcıoğlu also met with Turkish businessmen active in Uzbekistan.

 

• The Turkish-German Cooperation Council (TAIK) held its 14th meeting in Ankara on April 24-25. The Foreign Ministry said its Undersecretary Ertugrul Apakan and Reinhard Silberberg, the state secretary of Germany's Federal Foreign Office, chaired meetings between delegations of the two countries in Ankara. The TAIK meeting focused on industry, investments, trade, tourism and technology. Bilateral ties, Turkish-EU relations, and regional and international matters also were discussed during the meeting.

 

• Young diplomats from 48 countries received training in Ankara by their senior Turkish colleagues and Turkish scholars. Nearly 50 diplomats from countries of the Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East, Central Asia, Far East, South Asia, Africa and South America attended at the one-week program which started on April 21 in Ankara's Plaza Hotel. The program included lectures on diplomacy and international relations.

 

• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat visited Ankara on April 24 to attend a conference held by the Eurasia Strategic Studies Center (ASAM). Talat also met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on April 24, and topping their discussion were recent meetings of Turkish and Greek Cypriot working groups and committees, and Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Hristofias' confidence-building measures. Afterwards, speaking to ASAM, Talat said that he hopes to initiate negotiations with Greek Cyprus at the end of the June. "This is the last chance," he added. "We have a responsibility. We'll have either a solution or division."

 

• The Aegean city of Izmir was the venue of an international meeting on April 20-22 which brought together air force commanders of various countries from southern Europe. NATO Allied Air Component Command Izmir (CC-Air Izmir), which hosted the meeting, said that French, Croatian, Italian, Hungarian, Portuguese and Slovenian air force commanders attended the meeting. High-level officials from the Turkish, Spanish, Romanian and Greek air forces participated in the meeting as well, it added. During the meeting, participants discussed steps to achieve targets concerning the NATO Command and Control Systems. The Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, or AIRSOUTH, served the southern region of NATO until it was transformed into the present-day CC-Air Izmir in 2004.

 

• On the 93rd anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli (Çanakkale) between the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACS) and Turkish soldiers during World War I,nearly 2,000 descendants of ANZACS came to Turkey to commemorate their forebears. Finance Minister Kemal Unakıtan, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon also attended the ceremonies. Unakıtan cited Atatürk's famous words about the fallen ANZACS: "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well." Unakıtan said these words reflect the feelings of the Turkish people very well.