PERSPECTIVES

• European Commission Vice President Guenter Verheugen called on EU member states to encourage Turkey on its accession process. In an exclusive interview with German daily Rheinische Post, Verheugen said the Turkish government needed encouraging signals of the EU to fulfill reforms on its path to the EU. Turkey should be supported during its EU accession process, Verheugen said.

 

• The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Command of Security Forces and United Nations Peacekeeping Force on Cyprus (UNFICYP) have signed a new minesweeping agreement to clear mined areas on Cyprus. In a December 25 press briefing, Hasan Ercakıca, spokesman for the TRNC president, said the agreement hopes to widen the mined area that will be swept.

 

• A delegation from Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee held talks in Iran. The delegation, headed by Murat Mercan, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki on December 25. The Turkish delegation was also received by Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel. Mercan and his delegation met with former president and chairman of Iran's Assembly of Experts Hashemi Rafsanjani. Speaking after the meeting, Mercan said he was pleased with the support that Iran has been extending to Turkey in its fight against terrorism. "We are pleased to see that Iran understands our sensitivities on PKK terrorism, and I can clearly say that both countries pursue similar  policies  in  this  regard," Mercan  told reporters. Mercan said Turkey and Iran shared similar ideas on the importance of the protection Iraq's territorial integrity. On Iran's nuclear program, Mercan said the region should be free of nuclear weapons and Turkey's position on this issue was clear. "We think that any country in the region should not possess any nuclear weapons and we believe that problems between countries should be solved through diplomatic means," he said.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received a delegation of congressmen from the US House of Representatives on December 26. Afterwards, Democratic Congressman Eliot Engel told reporters that this was his first visit to Turkey, adding that their talks with Erdoğan had been beneficial. Stating that they had concentrated on Turkish-US relations, Engel said that the two countries are allies sharing similar views and interests. He added that Washington supports Ankara’s fight against terrorism.

 

• Japan will give full support to Turkey to gain a non-lasting member seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2009-2010, said Nobuaki Tanaka, newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Turkey. "Japan and Turkey have close friendship ties. Japan will vote for Turkey," Tanaka said. Tanaka also said his country supports Turkey's fight against terror, recalling a biological terrorist attack in a Tokyo subway station 10 years ago. "We share your concerns regarding to eradicate terrorism. We are also in full cooperation with Turkey to cut the terrorist PKK's financial resources," Tanaka said. Japanese ambassador also said trade volume between the two countries should be rose. He said the number of Japanese tourists arriving Turkey is expected to reach 150,000 this year, up from 120,000. "Turkey is a new destination for Japanese people to explore. You have a very rich culture," Tanaka added.

 

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker expressed Turkey's readiness to assist Azerbaijan on agriculture. Speaking at a meeting with Azerbaijan's Agriculture and Food Minister Ismet Abbasov in Baku on December 28, Eker said relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, as far as agriculture is concerned, are developing rapidly on the basis of "Technical, Scientific and Economic Cooperation Agreement" signed in 1994. Eker said foreign trade volume between Turkey and Azerbaijan was $1 billion in 2006. "This is inadequate," he said. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Eker in Baku. Aliyev said that agriculture sector is very important both for economy of the country and for employment, adding that majority of Azerbaijani people are living in rural areas. Saying that Azerbaijani government fulfilled reforms to develop agriculture  sector  and  gave support to farmers, Aliyev said that they want to benefit from Turkey's experiences in agricultural sector. Eker, on the other hand, said that Turkey attaches great importance to agriculture sector, adding that they want to further develop the cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan in this area. Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade received Eker and an accompany delegation in Baku on December 29. Speaking at the meeting, Rasizade stressed that agricultural production was important for every country, indicating that they were willing to share Turkey's experiences to record a development on this area. Eker told to Rasizade about works on use of new technologies and expressed Turkey's readiness to share its experiences.

 

• Turkey gave a diplomatic note to Athens after recent violations of Turkish territorial waters by Greek Coast Guard and fishing boats. Diplomatic sources said that the Foreign Ministry launched initiatives regarding these violations. According to the Turkish General Staff, 25 violations have occurred around the Kardak islets since December 7.

 

• Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım said that they aim to complete the 13.5 kilometer-long Marmaray tube by 2011. The Marmaray Project targets to connect Asia  and  Europe  underwater.  Yıldırım   said  that   Marmaray  is  one  of  the  most important projects of Istanbul. Yıldırım said that the part which will be under the water is 1.5 kilometers long. Marmaray also covers a metro line of 76.3 km which will be constructed from the Halkalı district on Istanbul's European side to Gebze on the Anatolian side.

 

• Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül left for Sudan on January 7 for a visit as the official guest of his Sudanese counterpart. Gönül returned to Turkey on January 11.

 

• The Foreign Ministry stated that Turkey is concerned with the violence incidents which emerged after presidential election in Kenya; and expressed belief that Kenya will overcome the tension in the next period through restraint, dialogue and political consensus under democratic principles. In a January 5 statement, the ministry expressed concern and sorrow over the violence acts which happened after Kenyan presidential elections (on December 27th, 2007) and caused death of more than 300 Kenyans. Turkey expects Kenyan officials and people to act with common sense as well as make utmost efforts to restore peace and stability against the incidents which would bring chaos and instability to the country, the ministry said. The ministry expressed belief that a stable and democratic Kenya is important for peace and security of African continent.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on January 4 received Crimean Tatar National Assembly Speaker Abdulcemil Kırımoğlu at Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters. Finance Minister Kemal Unakıtan also attended the meeting, behind closed doors.

 

• The US State Department harshly condemned the bomb attack in Diyarbakır on January 3. This incident has once more showed the necessity of cooperation in fight against terrorism, Chase Beamer, spokesman for the Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, said. Beamer said Washington is beside Ankara in its fight against terror. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer condemned the terrorist attack which was staged in Diyarbakır – killing 5 people and injuring 68 others. NATO Spokesman James Appathurai stated that the Secretary General strongly condemned the terrorist attack which killed and injured innocent people. Appathurai stressed that NATO continues to be in solidarity with Turkish people and government in fight against terrorism. A blast occurred while a military service bus was passing on Mimar Sinan Caddesi in Diyarbakır's Yenişehir district.

 

• Slovenia, the new term president of the European Union as of January 1, announced that accession negotiations with Turkey will continue on the basis of its progress towards fulfilling EU membership criteria. In a report issued, Slovenia said that accession negotiations with Turkey will continue during the Slovenian Presidency subject to the progress of Turkey in fulfilling EU membership criteria. The report said, "2008 was proclaimed the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The presidency understands intercultural dialogue as the basis for long-term EU action rather than a unique event. It is a strategic category of coexistence in diversity. Overcoming stereotypes  and  prejudices is vital for a number of areas: migration, the fight against organized crime, and terrorism." The report further said that the Slovenian Presidency will ensure continuity in the fight against international terrorism, particularly through implementing strategies and action plans. "We will focus particularly on the global fight against terrorism, prevention of its financing and combating radicalization and recruitment, as well as control of explosives," told the report. France will assume the role of European Union president this July.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received a delegation of US senators led by Senator Mel Martinez on January 7. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Martinez said they had a very productive talk during which they discussed topics of mutual interest like terrorism and enhanced friendly relations. Martinez called last November's meeting between US President Bush and Erdoğan in Washington an important step in that direction and said it consolidated the mutual understanding in counter terrorism. Martinez said that this mutual understanding would be further enhanced by the meeting between Bush and President Abdullah Gül. Martinez added that they had also discussed issues of energy supplies, increasing costs and scarcity of resources and ways to cope with these through cooperation.

 

• On January 7, President Abdullah Gül congratulated his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili on his reelection. Gül called Saakashvili and congratulated him after the election results were made public in Georgia. According to preliminary results, Saakashvili had 52.8 percent of the vote on the voting and won a second term as Georgia's president. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a message to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili congratulating him over the results of elections. Prime Minister Erdoğan wished the people of Georgia the best after the elections. "We will continue to work closely," Erdoğan said.

 

• Turks living in foreign countries will be able to cast votes in general elections, referendums and presidential elections, Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesman Cemil Çicek said on January 7. "The Cabinet decided to sign and send to parliament a bill that would allow Turkish people living abroad to vote in elections," Çicek told a news conference. Turkish people in overseas countries have been able to cast votes only at customs gates. With this new arrangement, overseas Turkish electorate will be able to vote only for political parties, not for independent candidates, Çicek told reporters. Çicek stated that voters' fingers will not be marked with indelible ink from now on. He also said that amendment to Article 301 of Turkish penal code was not discussed at the meeting, adding that halt of natural gas supply from Iran to Turkey was not on meeting agenda since Energy Minister Hilmi Güler traveled to the US together with President Abdullah Gül.

 

• Education Minister Hüseyin Çelik said Turkey is one of the fastest growing countries in the world in terms of information technology. Çelik came to London on January 8 to attend a seminar titled "Incentives for Young Brains 2008" at the invitation of British Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls. Çelik told the participants at the seminar on the use of informatics technology in the Turkish education sector.

 

• State Minister Nimet Çubukcu paid a visit to Tunisia on January 9 at the invitation of Tunisian Women, Children and Family Affairs Minister Sarra Kanoun Jarraya. During her visit to Tunisia, Çubukcu met with Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, Tunisian Minister for Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisians Living Abroad Ali Chaouch, and Tunisian Women, Children and Family Affairs Minister Sarra Kanoun Jarraya. Minister Çubukcu signed a cooperation protocol with Tunisian officials on topics of children, families and women. Çubukcu visited several institutions on women, the elderly and children. Çubukcu returned to Turkey on January 11.

 

• Turkish Acting President and Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan received Vieira da Cunha, the chairman of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee at the Lower House of the Brazilian Parliament, and an accompanying delegation on January 8. The Brazilian delegation was in Turkey at the invitation of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. Toptan's meeting with Cunha and the Brazilian delegation was closed to the press. Cunha and the accompanying delegation met with Parliament EU Harmonization Committee head Yaşar Yakış and Foreign Affairs Committee head Murat Mercan earlier on January 8.

 

• On January 8, the Foreign Ministry said Turkey attaches great importance to cooperation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in combating bribery. "We also attach importance to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Public Officials in International Business Transactions," a Foreign Ministry statement said. According to the statement, a working group was set up to combat bribery as part of the convention and the group held its last meeting in Paris on December 4-7, 2007. Turkey put the convention into practice an September 2000. During the last meeting, the working group discussed a report of Turkey. However, the group ruled that Turkey should repeat the same study for one more year because there are some shortcomings in implementation. The statement said Turkey has made all necessary legal changes between 2003 and 2005.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made public on January 10 a new "to do" list, an action plan that covers a series of major issues in democracy, economy and social life. The action plan includes the writing of a new constitution based on a social reconciliation, and steps to improve basic rights and freedoms, and reform in justice and rule of law. The government would continue strict fiscal discipline and structural reforms, and take steps to increase job opportunities, and competitive power of the Turkish economy. The action plan also pledges to improve the quality of the education, and reform in higher education. Turkish government will continue to make structural reforms, simplify tax regulations, strengthen fundamental rights and freedom, improve judicial services and maintain fiscal discipline, Erdoğan pledged. "Progression of structural reforms is of vital importance," Erdoğan said. Erdoğan said the bill on new income tax will become law, thus several taxes will be cut. "We will also continue privatization process and floating exchange rate regime. We will never give up fighting inflation" Erdoğan said, saying that they will fight also unregistered economy this year with different instruments. "We will take measures in the action plan to increase employment. Bureaucratic formalities will be reduced, active workforce programs will be supported," Erdoğan said. The Turkish Premier also vowed to complete high-speed train projects between Ankara-Istanbul, Ankara-Konya and Ankara-Sivas.

 

• Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), paid a visit to Slovenia on January 10. İhsanoğlu attended a ceremony held on the occasion of Slovenia's undertaking the rotating EU term presidency in Slovenian capital Ljubljana. İhsanoğlu held talks with Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek, Prime Minister Janez Jansa and Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel. İhsanoğlu exchanged views with his hosts on regional and global issues and expressed his wish for good relations between EU member states and OIC members. İhsanoğlu delivered a speech at the conference on Islamophobia and intolerance organized by Young Patriots (COJEP) at the European Parliament in Brussels. İhsanoğlu said all freedoms required a sense of responsibility. İhsanoğlu added that September 11th, London and Madrid attacks, and the murder of Dutch director Van Gogh escalated Islamophobia and said that racist European political parties contributed to this by putting Muslims at the target.

 

• Brussels-based International Crisis Group stated, in its report "Cyprus: Reversing the Drift to Partition,” that Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders should jointly express their will to re-engage in UN-mediated talks on a comprehensive settlement following February's "presidential" elections on the Greek Cypriot side. The report said that it is necessary to make more efforts – with strong encouragement of UN and EU – for a comprehensive  solution  to the Cyprus question in 2008. Saying that both sides have much to gain from a settlement, the report said the Turkish Cypriots would be able to enjoy benefits of EU membership, while Greek Cypriots will end lingering insecurity and access to the Turkish economy – the most dynamic in the region. For Turkey, a settlement would overcome a major obstacle to its convergence with the EU. If such an effort fails, the alternative is likely to be partition, said the report. The report stated that any comprehensive reunification settlement will need to be based on the bizonal and bi-communal principles. The report said that the period following the Greek Cypriot election may offer both communities an opportunity to re-establish their will to engage in meaningful negotiations. The report recommended that Greek Cypriot administration should agree to EU implementation of its Direct Trade Regulation, while Turkish Cypriot administration should freeze construction on Greek Cypriot-owned real estate. The report asked Turkey to implement its commitment in Additional Protocol to the EU-Turkey Customs Union. The report also stated that the United States should work with European capitals and with other Security Council members to highlight the dangers of non-resolution of the Cyprus problem.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said a free and independent atmosphere of media was the assurance of an open society, a transparent administration, and right to information. Erdoğan issued a message on the occasion of January 10, the Working Journalists' Day. "An impartial media voicing diverse opinions and views in an objective way plays an important role in creating awareness in the society," said Erdoğan. "Protection of the rights of journalists and improvement of their working conditions according to the needs of the era will continue to be one of our government's priorities."

 

• Environment and Forestry Minister Veysel Eroğlu went to Syria on January 9 at the invitation of Syrian Irrigation Minister Nadir al-Buni. Eroğlu held talks on how to activate the trilateral ministerial meeting among Syria, Turkey and Iraq. Officials of the three countries met in Antalya last March to discuss issues related to water sharing. Eroğlu also held bilateral talks with al-Buni and Iraqi Water Resources Minister Latif Rashid. He returned to Turkey on January 12.

 

• Rene van der Linden, head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), arrived in Ankara on January 13 on an official visit. Linden met with Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan. The two held a joint press conference after the meeting. Toptan said Turkey has adopted the principles of the Council of Europe, European convention on human rights and antecedents of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) as reference in the reform process, and said that it was discussing a draft constitution under the same principles, with enthusiasm. Toptan said that Turkey – a founding member of the Council of Europe – had supported the council's efforts to enhance democracy and human rights in Europe and establish the rule of law. van der Linden said that Turkey carried out important projects regarding the religious and cultural  dialogue. Linden  who  underlined  that  further  development of this dialogue was crucial said, "Hence with the development of this process, the misunderstandings and prejudices between peoples and societies will disappear. Therefore your country is playing a key role in this process.” Linden said he was happy to see that the reform process in Turkey was going on smoothly thanks to a strong political will. Linden met with Yaşar Yakış, the head of Parliament's EU Adjustment Commission, and Murat Mercan, the head of Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, on January 14. Mercan said he would never forget Linden's contribution in the process for Turkey's accession to the EU. Linden said he was making his last visits as PACE president and said that he chose Turkey because he wanted to thank Turkish people for the level of relations and their friendliness. Linden said Turkey played an important role in the PACE and said Turkish members were holding the chairmanship of three of the nine commissions Linden visited the Rumi Museum in the central Anatolian province of Konya on January 15. Linden, who also watched the performance of whirling dervishes, spoke with Fahri Özcakil, the leader of the dervishes. Özcakil told Linden that this tradition has been continuing for nearly 750 years. Linden said, "All European countries have signed a document indicating that they would accept Turkey to EU full membership when it meets the criteria." Linden visited Konya Governor Osman Aydın. Asked to comment on proposal of France to grant another status to Turkey instead of full membership, Linden said Turkey has made efforts to meet the criteria in question. "Turkey as well as the European countries (who earlier signed a document indicating that they would accept Turkey to full membership when it meets the criteria) should fulfill their commitments, including France," he said. Linden then proceeded to Ankara.

 

• State Minister Mehmet Aydın said Turkey needs Europe and vice versa. Speaking to the Anatolia News Agency on January 11, Aydın said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and he would attend the Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Spain on January 15-16. Aydın said he welcomed the invitation of Nobel laureate and Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk to participate in the forum. Turkey should make more efforts to introduce itself to western community and promote its history and culture in Europe, he stated. Aydın said Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, took the most important step regarding the democratization process. "The government worked really hard to boost this process. But here are still some problems in the area of implementation. I believe that we will overcome these problems," he said. Aydın said 2008 will be a year which would test some major premises of the Alliance of Civilizations Project. "Today, we see a special emphasis on values and people's beliefs in Iraq and there is an increasingly critical approach to clash of civilizations. We need a positive mobilization for the alliance and we need not to be afraid of the alliance for it is not a matter of assimilation nor extinction, but it is a joining of forces," Aydın said. The Alliance of Civilizations is a United Nations initiative intended to galvanize collective action across diverse societies in order to combat extremism, overcome cultural and social barriers between mainly the Western and predominantly Muslim worlds, and to reduce the tensions and polarization between societies which differ in religious and cultural values. The project is sponsored by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Spanish Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez. "This is a long-breathed global project, and I know that many leaders from all Muslim countries are willing to work for the project," Aydın said.

 

• President Abdullah Gül sent a message congratulating Fatmir Seydiu for his reelection as president of Kosovo. "I am confident that cooperation among Turkey and Kosovo in all fields will continue during your tenure. Turkey has been and will continue to be on the side of Kosovars during hard days and always," Gül said in his message. Foreign Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan sent a congratulatory message to Mahir Yağcılar, the head of Kosovo's Turkish Democratic Party, on being Kosovo's environment minister. In his message, Babacan said that the party's representation in the Kosovar government will help preserve the legitimate rights of the Turkish community and carry this community further. "Your efforts will contribute to relations between Turkey and Kosovo," he added.

 

• A Finnish parliamentary delegation held meetings in Turkey on January 13-17. President Abdullah Gül received the Finnish delegation chaired by Erkki Tuomioja, chairman of the Finnish Parliamentary Committee on EU matters and former foreign minister. The Finnish delegation was also received by Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan and Turkish Parliamentary EU Adjustment Commission Chairman Yaşar Yakış on January 15 in Ankara. Yakış briefed Tuomioja on the activities Turkey carried out under the EU accession process. The delegation then proceeded to the southern province of Adana, southern town of Antakya and Istanbul. Finnish Ambassador to Ankara Maria Serenius said that Finnish investors may be interested in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline. Serenius and accompanying deputies arrived in the southern province of Adana on January 15 for a tour of the BTC oil pipeline. Saying that Finland supports the idea of accession of Turkey to the EU, Serenius said that Turkey already met with its responsibilities and Finland welcomes the reforms Turkey has accomplished. Serenius said that Turkey and Finland signed an agreement on domestic security four years ago, adding that joint efforts of the two countries against illegal migration go on smoothly. She added that trade volume between Turkey and Finland is 1.1 billion euros, stating that as Turkey's relations with the EU increase, cooperation between Turkey and Finland will improve too.

 

• Janez Jansa, the prime minister of European Union Rotating President Slovenia, said on January 16 that his country would endeavor to maintain full membership talks with Turkey and Croatia alive. Taking the floor at European Parliament general assembly, Jansa briefed the audience about the matters of primary importance during his country's six-month rotating presidency. Jansa said EU's enlargement wave in 2004 was in the interests of both the former and new members of the union. Qualifying  enlargement  as "an  ongoing process,”  he said  they  would  endeavor to conclude the process without any interruption. Jansa said his country would focus on economic growth within EU, dealing with climate change and poverty, inter-cultural dialogue, and restoring justice and security.

 

• Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül met with his Italian counterpart Arturo Parisi on January 15. The Italian minister said Turkey and Italy have a common view about fight against terrorism. Gönül said Turkey and Italy cooperate in military operations in Afghanistan, Lebanon and Balkans and will be together in the European Combat Group to be set up under the auspices of the EU in the future. "The Italian government strongly supports Turkey's EU candidacy and membership process," he said. Gönül said bilateral relations will further improve with Parisi's visit. Parisi said the two countries share similar views about their cooperation and alliance and hope to boost their cooperation in NATO and EU. "The aim of these meetings is to further improve our friendship," he also said. Parisi paid a visit to Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt on January 16. 

 

• Hungarian Parliament Speaker Katalin Szili paid an official visit to Turkey on January 15-18. Szili met with her Turkish counterpart Köksal Toptan. Toptan hosted a luncheon in Szili's honor on January 16. The luncheon was attended by Szili and accompanying delegation. Toptan and Szili signed an EU Twinning Project meant to boost Parliament's institutional capacity. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Toptan said relations between Turkey and the EU entered a new phase after start of accession talks in October 2005, indicating that EU accession was a restructuring process upgrading Turkey's political, economic, social and legal standards. "Negotiation process is not easy. I would like to underscore that Turkey deserves to be a member of the EU. Turkey will add richness and strength to the EU with its potential and dynamism," Toptan said. Szili stressed the importance of the role of parliaments in the integration of countries to the EU. Szili said the parties would cooperate on around 30 matters as part of a one-year project, indicating that 60 experts would be invited to training seminars in Ankara. She said 130 deputies and Parliament personnel would also visit European Parliament. Speaking at a meeting with Szili and an accompanying delegation on January 16, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay said that 2010 European capitals of culture – Istanbul, Essen and Pecs would present very good examples to the world displaying solidarity, alliance among cultures and civilizations. Günay added that Istanbul and Pecs, the two important historical cities in this region, were selected as European capitals of culture. Szili proposed that the two cities help each other. On  January 17,  Szili traveled to the northwestern province of Tekirdağ, where a museum was opened in the name of Hungarian folk hero Prince Rakoczi and met with Governor Aydın Nezih Doğan. Delivering a speech there, Szili thanked Doğan for honoring Hungarian culture in Tekirdağ. Szili said her talks in Ankara were very constructive and said that under the protocol that was signed, they would enhance relations between Turkish and Hungarian parliaments. Szili said the Hungarian Parliament would support Turkey's in its EU bid.

 

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker left for Berlin on January 17. Eker attended Turkey Forum on developments in Turkish agriculture as part of Turkish-EU accession talks on January 18. Eker visited the Bergama Museum in Berlin on January 18. Eker attended the inauguration of International Green Week Fair on January 19. Eker delivered a speech on "Global Competition for Agriculture Feedstock" at a conference that was organized for the trade ministers of various countries as part of Green Week Fair. Eker visited Turkish stands in the 73rd Green Week Food Products Fair. Eker also visited Bulgarian and Finnish stands, and invited his Bulgarian counterpart Nihat Kabil to a fair to take place in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır in April. Eker later met with Turkish citizens and members of the NGOs in Turkish House in Berlin. During the meeting, Eker said the development trend continues in Turkey in many areas, and Turkey has speeded up its relations with not only its neighbors but also other countries. Uludağ Exporters' Association (UIB) attended the International Green Week Fair. UIB Secretary-General Ibrahim Okur said 1,479 companies from various countries participated in the fair which stayed open through January 27. Okur said the fair was a distinguished one in the world on the industries of food, agriculture and gardening. More than 400,000 people visited the fair.

 

• Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen arrived in Turkey on January 17 on an official visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan. President Abdullah Gül received Rocen in Ankara on January 18. Rocen conveyed an invitation from the Montenegrin president to Abdullah Gül to visit Montenegro. Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan received Rocen the same day. Speaking to reporters, Toptan said that Rocen's current visit to Turkey is the first one made by a high ranking official from Montenegro after the country gained its independence. "I am pleased to welcome Rocen to Turkey," Toptan said. Babacan and Rocen held a press conference following their face-to-face meeting. Rocen said that there is nothing his country can do for a solution in Kosovo. "We are not on any one's side in the Kosovo issue," Rocen  said.  Asked  about  what  he  thinks  about Kosovo, Rocen said, "The issue is a tough one and will require a long process of negotiations in order to get resolved. There is nothing Montenegro can do in the case of Kosovo." On Turkey's EU membership, Rocen said that Babacan and he discussed the joint European perspective. "We fully support Turkey's EU membership. We are thankful to Turkey for sharing its EU process with Montenegro." Asked how the agreement on visa exemption will help investors, Babacan said, "The agreement is a highly important one. The agreement makes possible mutual visits without obtaining visas." The visa exemption agreement will not only make the job of investors easier but also contribute to tourism in both countries, Babacan also said, adding, "Montenegro symbolizes stability in the Balkans. Turkey supports Montenegro's NATO membership as well as its EU aspiration."

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a message congratulating Uzbek President Islam Karimov on his reelection. In his message, Erdoğan said Turkey and Uzbekistan have deep-rooted relations stemming from history, language and culture and the two should make more efforts to boost these relations. "I believe that Karimov will contribute to regional peace and stability," he said. Karimov was reelected to another seven-year term on December 23.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Pieter Van Geel, the group chairman of Dutch Christian Democrat Party, in Ankara on January 17. Foreign Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan also received Pieter Van Geel in his office the same day.

 

• The Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) held a Clean Energy Conference" in cooperation with the American-Turkish Council (ATC) and the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) in Istanbul on January 29-30. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Güler and a high-level US delegation attended the conference. Participants were briefed on innovative production techniques like biodiesel, wind, sun, clean lignite, water and clean coal. The conference was supported by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and the US Energy Department.

 

• Foreign Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan and his counterpart from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Turgay Avcı participated in a certificate ceremony for TRNC diplomats who went through a training and internship program at the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara on January 17. Babacan said that Turkey hopes a new process will begin after next month’s elections in southern Cyprus for a solution to the Cyprus problem. "2008 will open a window of opportunity on Cyprus," Babacan said. Speaking at the ceremony, Babacan said, "Cyprus is a national issue. The struggle of Turkish  Cypriots  for  freedom is one that lives in memories and shapes how we look at the future." "It is our wish to find a solution to the Cyprus problem as part of the United Nations and through negotiations. The place to find a solution for Cyprus is the UN," Babacan said. "Turkey and the TRNC favor a solution on Cyprus. When one looks at the Annan process in 2004, he can see which side on Cyprus does not want a solution. We have to constantly remind governments that the Turkish Cypriots voted for a solution in a referendum in 2004," Babacan stressed. Avcı said that the certificate program at the Turkish Foreign Ministry is a good example showing cooperation and unity between Turkey and the TRNC. Young TRNC diplomats will help the TRNC's efforts globally, including facilitating an end to international isolation, Avcı said. "Turkish Cypriots are walking to the future with Turkey. No one should doubt this relationship. The European Union must keep its promises. The TRNC voted yes in the 2004 referendum on a settlement. Now it's the EU's turn to act. The UN must make new initiatives in 2008 for a solution on Cyprus."

 

• Education Minister Hüseyin Çelik arrived in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi on January 20 to attend President Mikhail Saakashvili's swearing-in ceremony. Çelik was welcomed by Georgia's Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolos Vashakidze and Turkish Ambassador in Tbilisi Ertan Tezgör. Çelik also attended a concert at the Tbilisi Concert Hall. The Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and Polish presidents as well as other high-level official from nearly 30 countries attended the ceremony. Çelik also met with his Georgian counterpart Maia Miminoshvili, and they discussed joint projects to further improve educational relations between Turkey and Georgia. Çelik also visited a Turkish college in Tbilisi. Çelik attended a dinner hosted in honor of guests who attended the swearing-in ceremony later on January 20.

 

• Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül traveled to Qatar on January 21. Gönül paid a three-day official visit as the official guest of Qatar's Chief of General Staff Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiya. Gönül returned to Turkey on January 24.

 

• President Abdullah Gül arrived in Syria on a one-day official visit on January 19. Gül was welcomed by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mualem and Turkish Ambassador to Syria Halit Çevik. President Gül met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Presidential Palace. Gül and Assad held a half-hour meeting, after which they co-chaired talks between delegations of the two countries. Gül urged Assad to use Syrian influence in Lebanon in a constructive manner to help the country overcome a political bottleneck. Gül conveyed Assad Turkey's concerns over Lebanon which faces a political crisis due to delay in Lebanese presidential  election, underlining  that  sustaining  Lebanon's  political stability was of crucial importance. Gül and al-Assad discussed during their meeting issues such as cooperation against terrorism, possible Turkish and Syrian contributions to Iraq's territorial integrity, and Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Gül attended the opening ceremony of "Damascus, Capital of Arab Culture 2008." President Gül and the accompanying delegation later participated in a dinner hosted by Assad. Gül returned from Syria to Turkey early on January 20.

 

• Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Güler said on January 18 the government was resolute to make real its nuclear energy project. Güler participated in Nuclear Energy Arena organized by Strategic Technical and Economic Research Center (STEAM) in Istanbul. He stated that they value five elements in the energy sector i.e., coal, natural gas, hydroelectric power plants, renewable energy and nuclear energy. "Turkey needs nuclear energy. We consider it a technologic option. Nuclear power plants are a yield of technological approach of Turkey," he stated. "There has been a hike in oil prices, therefore there is need for new alternatives in the energy sector,” Güler said. "Nuclear energy should be used in Turkey after necessary precautions are taken,” he said. The government is eager to acquire nuclear energy only for civilian purposes, Güler added.

 

• Turkey called on Israel to immediately end the embargo and blockades on Gaza strip. "Turkish Foreign Ministry had observed with great concern the embargo Israel enforced on the Gaza Strip and in this respect the closing of all border gates and the halting of fuel oil," said a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry on January 21. Turkey said that the blockade and embargo had worsened living conditions of the civilian population – already living under harsh conditions. It said the enforcements caused serious problems in water and electricity distribution and health services. "Turkey believes the enforcement of embargo and blockade in the Gaza Strip only serves the interests of extremists and therefore calls on (Israel) to end them immediately," said the press release.

 

• The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) elected Professor Işıl Karakaş as the judge who will represent Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Professor Karakaş gained 136 votes, while other Turkish candidates Professor Ruşen Ergeç had 27 and Professor Ali Ulusoy 15 votes in the election. Professor Karakaş – who replaced Rıza Türmen – will work for six years in Strasbourg. In accordance with the article 22nd of ECHR, 20 countries which signed the convention submit a list including three candidates, and the assembly elects one of these candidates.

 

• Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt paid a visit to London at the invitation of  British  Chief  of  the Defense Staff (CDS) Sir Jock Stirrup on January 21-22. Gen.

 

Büyükanıt had a meeting with Sir Jock Stirrup in London on January 21. Gen. Büyükanıt attended a dinner hosted in his honor by Sir Jock Stirrup in London. Gen. Büyükanıt also had meetings with Defense Secretary Des Browne and Foreign Secretary David Miliband on January 22. Büyükanıt left Britain on January 23.

 

• European Union Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn said on January 22 the Union should honor its words it has given to Turkey. Accession process is like a marathon and the important thing is that we should move forward and encourage Turkey for further reforms, Rehn told a Brussels meeting. We need to remain committed to our joint promises we made for Turkey's integration into the EU, he said. Rehn characterized enlargement as "a crucial element," which he said was also the most influential foreign policy tool for the Union. Yet we cannot use this tool for all of our neighbors and enlargement involves the Balkans and Turkey, he said.

 

• European Union's Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) on January 24 approved new accession partnership draft document with Turkey. According to the document, the target of the negotiations was membership. The document demands Turkey to harmonize civilian-military relations with the EU standards, ensure Parliament to have a full control on army and defense policy, limit purview of military courts only with matters related to the mission of military personnel, show full respect to freedom of religion and minority rights, facilitate television broadcast in other languages apart from Turkish, and normalize relations with all EU member countries. The draft document is expected to be endorsed during EU foreign ministers meeting scheduled for February 18.

 

• State Minister Mehmet Aydın said that Turkey is a good example disproving the clash of civilizations. Appearing live on Turkish TRT2 on January 24, Aydın said, "With its institutions and politics, Turkey is a part of the West. Turkish Armed Forces have a western orientation and no one can claim that the West does not exist in collective identity of the Turks." "The values we believe in and those we implement are defined as 'Western values' out of Turkey," Aydın said. Those who try to reject Turkey's  EU  aspirations  based on the culture, Islamic religion and young population despite Turkey's fulfillment of the membership criteria deserve to be labeled as the Christian Club, Aydın stressed. "A great portion of what is said in the West about the Islamic world and especially Turkey is wrong, wrong and wrong. This is what I can say as a scholar," Aydın said. He added that Turkey has an obligation to take part in giant world projects. "While there has not been much progress in the Alliance of Civilizations project, the number of news stories and editorials on Turkey in the Western media has risen. So project could be called a success to some extent," Aydın also said.

 

• As part of the European Commission, Technical Assistance Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX), a one-day workshop on the New Audiovisual Media Services Directive, was held in cooperation with the European Commission Directorate General for Information Society and Media and Radio and Television Supreme Council  of  Turkey  on January 16. The workshop was hosted by the Supreme Board

 

of Radio and Television and chaired by Gianpaolo Scacco, administrator of Audiovisual and Media Policies Unit of European Commission Information Society and Media Directorate General. Participants included BBC representative Khalid Hadadi who shared experience of a member state, United Kingdom and Andris Mellakuls, member of National broadcasting Council of Latvia, who shared Latvian experience and Professor Nico Van Eijk of University of Amsterdam who made a general evaluation of new Audiovisual Media Services Directive. The workshop covered the effects of emerging technologies, especially “video on-demand services" on the regulatory bodies of member and candidate states. Effects required the revision of Audiovisual Media Services Directive and a new directive is prepared. In this framework, subjects as Jurisdiction; Right of Reply; Television Advertising; Sponsorship and Tele-shopping; Promotion of European and Independent Works; Protection of Minors and Public Order needed to be redefined in the new Directive. Accession Negotiations between Turkey and the European Union have been launched in October 2005 with the adoption of the Negotiation Framework by the Council of the European Union. The Screening Process lasted about a year from October 2005 until October 2006. Information society and media is one of the seven chapters currently being negotiated.

 

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Ria Oomen-Ruijten, the Turkey rapporteur of the European Parliament, on January 24 to discuss Turkey's EU membership bid. Afterwards, Oomen-Ruijten paid a courtesy visit to Onur Öymen, the deputy chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), at the party headquarters in Ankara. Oomen-Ruijten and Oymen discussed human rights, work on a new constitution, and Turkish-EU relations. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan received Ria Oomen-Ruijten the same day.

 

• Dutch European Affairs Minister Frans Timmermans arrived in Ankara on January 30 for a two-day visit. Timmermans had talks with Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, State Minister Mehmet Şimşek and Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Murat Mercan. "We look forward to our close cooperation in the future to be able to successfully reach the goal we've agreed in December 2004, which is the integration of Turkey into the EU," he told reporters after a working luncheon with Foreign Minister Babacan in Ankara on January 31. Timmermans said Babacan and he had talks about bilateral relations and topics of mutual interest concerning international affairs. State Minister Mehmet Şimşek met Timmermans in Ankara on January 31. Economic and commercial relations between the two countries, Turkey-EU relations and Dutch support for Turkey's EU bid was among the topics discussed at the meeting.