"Reinfeldt: 'Turkey belongs to Europe'
Published: 22 Apr 09 07:17 CET
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt expressed his support on Tuesday for Turkey’s EU membership, emphasizing that a settlement in Cyprus would aid the process.
* Swedish navy set to join hunt for pirates off Somali coast (16 Apr 09)
* Secret meeting behind jail transfer: Reinfeldt (8 Apr 09)
* Ikea under fire over Turkish supplier (30 Mar 09)
'Sweden fully supports Turkey's bid to join the European Union...Turkey belongs to Europe,' Anatolia quoted Reinfeldt as saying after talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan."
More:Reinfeldt: 'Turkey belongs to Europe' - The Local
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Turkish commanders welcomed in surprise visit to terror-hit southeast
"Turkish commanders welcomed in surprise visit to terror-hit southeast
ISTANBUL - The commanders of the Turkish military, including Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, paid an unannounced visit Wednesday to the country's terror-hit southeastern province of Sirnak. Locals welcomed the visit."
More:Turkish commanders welcomed in surprise visit to terror-hit southeast
ISTANBUL - The commanders of the Turkish military, including Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, paid an unannounced visit Wednesday to the country's terror-hit southeastern province of Sirnak. Locals welcomed the visit."
More:Turkish commanders welcomed in surprise visit to terror-hit southeast
Turkish NGOs decide to relaunch anti-government demonstrations
"Turkish NGOs decide to relaunch anti-government demonstrations
ISTANBUL - A number of Turkish non-governmental organizations, or NGO, decided to protest the controversial coup probe by revivng the mass demonstrations held in 2007 in which the government was protested over its anti-secular activities."
More:Turkish NGOs decide to relaunch anti-government demonstrations
ISTANBUL - A number of Turkish non-governmental organizations, or NGO, decided to protest the controversial coup probe by revivng the mass demonstrations held in 2007 in which the government was protested over its anti-secular activities."
More:Turkish NGOs decide to relaunch anti-government demonstrations
Ankara warns Turkish Cypriot election winner over peace talks
"Ankara warns Turkish Cypriot election winner over peace talks
ISTANBUL - Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned the hardliners who won the Turkish Cypriot polls on divided Cyprus against breaking off or disrupting peace talks with the Greek Cypriots, AFP reported."
More:Ankara warns Turkish Cypriot election winner over peace talks
ISTANBUL - Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned the hardliners who won the Turkish Cypriot polls on divided Cyprus against breaking off or disrupting peace talks with the Greek Cypriots, AFP reported."
More:Ankara warns Turkish Cypriot election winner over peace talks
CriEnglish.com: Sweden Backs Turkey for EU Membership - by Bao Congying
For the complete report from CriEnglish click on this link
Sweden Backs Turkey for EU Membership - by Bao Congying
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said Tuesday that Sweden supports Turkey's bid to join the European Union (EU). Reinfeldt made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan following their talks in the Turkish capital.
"Turkey belongs to Europe. Turkey is a crucial country for Europe. With its regional role and young population, Turkey carries strategic importance for the EU," Reinfeldt said.
"Topics such as press freedom, freedom of expression, religious minorities, cultural rights, and the socioeconomic situation in southeastern Anatolia may be brought up in the EU process. The establishment of a TV channel in Kurdish in Turkey was an important step," Reinfeldt said.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Turkey-EU horizon turbid
"Turkey-EU horizon turbid
The current Czech EU Presidency has been at work with Turkey’s representatives to try and unjam its EU membership process. Prague wants to chair the opening of two new negotiating chapters – on social policy and taxation – this June."
More:Turkey-EU horizon turbid - EU-Turkey : europa, europe | euronews
The current Czech EU Presidency has been at work with Turkey’s representatives to try and unjam its EU membership process. Prague wants to chair the opening of two new negotiating chapters – on social policy and taxation – this June."
More:Turkey-EU horizon turbid - EU-Turkey : europa, europe | euronews
The Turkish joker
"The Turkish joker
Ankara appears key to new US foreign policy under Obama, writes Mustafa El-Labbad*
President Barack Obama's recent visit to Turkey inaugurated a new chapter in the assignation of roles in the Middle East. It marked a clear recognition of Turkey's political and geographic importance in the region and gave a green light to Ankara's more active engagement in shaping international balances of power. The significance of this should not be lost on us. It marks the beginning of a new strategic partnership between the world's main superpower and a rising regional power, and its effects are certain to be felt for some time to come in that huge geographical arc extending from the southern borders of Russia through the Caucasus, Iran and Iraq, to Syria and the eastern Mediterranean."
More:Al-Ahram Weekly | Opinion | The Turkish joker
Ankara appears key to new US foreign policy under Obama, writes Mustafa El-Labbad*
President Barack Obama's recent visit to Turkey inaugurated a new chapter in the assignation of roles in the Middle East. It marked a clear recognition of Turkey's political and geographic importance in the region and gave a green light to Ankara's more active engagement in shaping international balances of power. The significance of this should not be lost on us. It marks the beginning of a new strategic partnership between the world's main superpower and a rising regional power, and its effects are certain to be felt for some time to come in that huge geographical arc extending from the southern borders of Russia through the Caucasus, Iran and Iraq, to Syria and the eastern Mediterranean."
More:Al-Ahram Weekly | Opinion | The Turkish joker
Slate: Turkey's scheming in Strasbourg shows it doesn't belong in the European Union - by Christopher Hitchens
Note by Turkish Digest: Even though we do not agree with the contents of this article, we have published it in fairness to freedom of expression.
"Turkey's scheming in Strasbourg shows it doesn't belong in the European Union - by Christopher Hitchens
The most underreported story of the month must surely be the announcement by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that he no longer supports the accession of Turkey as a full member of the European Union. His reasoning was very simple and intelligible, and it has huge implications for the Barack Obama "make nice" school of diplomacy. From Danish soil a TV station broadcasts in the Kurdish language to Kurds in Turkey and elsewhere. The government in Ankara, which evidently believes that all European governments are as untrammeled as itself, brusquely insists that Denmark do what it would do and simply shut the transmitter down. Once again unclear on the concepts of the open society and the rule of law—if the station is sympathetic to terrorism, as Ankara alleges, there are procedures to be followed—the Turkish authorities attempt a fiat that simply demands that others do as they say.Turkey wants all the privileges of NATO and EU membership but also wishes to continue occupying Cyprus, denying Kurdish rights, and lying about the Armenian genocide. On top of this, it now desires to act as a proxy for Islamization and dares to waste the time of a defensive alliance in trying to censor the press of another member state!"
More: For the complete report from Slate Magazine click on this link
"Turkey's scheming in Strasbourg shows it doesn't belong in the European Union - by Christopher Hitchens
The most underreported story of the month must surely be the announcement by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that he no longer supports the accession of Turkey as a full member of the European Union. His reasoning was very simple and intelligible, and it has huge implications for the Barack Obama "make nice" school of diplomacy. From Danish soil a TV station broadcasts in the Kurdish language to Kurds in Turkey and elsewhere. The government in Ankara, which evidently believes that all European governments are as untrammeled as itself, brusquely insists that Denmark do what it would do and simply shut the transmitter down. Once again unclear on the concepts of the open society and the rule of law—if the station is sympathetic to terrorism, as Ankara alleges, there are procedures to be followed—the Turkish authorities attempt a fiat that simply demands that others do as they say.Turkey wants all the privileges of NATO and EU membership but also wishes to continue occupying Cyprus, denying Kurdish rights, and lying about the Armenian genocide. On top of this, it now desires to act as a proxy for Islamization and dares to waste the time of a defensive alliance in trying to censor the press of another member state!"
More: For the complete report from Slate Magazine click on this link
Fethiye’s literary son remembered
"Fethiye’s literary son remembered
FETHİYE - In honor of the village’s homegrown writer and newspaper founder, Fethiye will hold the second Yunus Nadi cultural festival from April 27 to May 1."
More:Fethiye’s literary son remembered
FETHİYE - In honor of the village’s homegrown writer and newspaper founder, Fethiye will hold the second Yunus Nadi cultural festival from April 27 to May 1."
More:Fethiye’s literary son remembered
Istanbul's Lush Life
"Istanbul's Lush Life
by Joan Juliet Buck | Published May 2009
Night moves: With the Bosphorus Bridge in the background, the area around the Ortaköy Mosque, built in 1854 for Sultan Abdul Mecit, is now party central.
MORE ON ISTANBUL
It's modern and Muslim, European and Asian, cutting-edge and conservative—and though at least two millennia old, thrillingly hip. Joan Juliet Buck succumbs to Istanbul's potent persuasions"
More:Istanbul's Lush Life from Condé Nast Traveler on Concierge.com
by Joan Juliet Buck | Published May 2009
Night moves: With the Bosphorus Bridge in the background, the area around the Ortaköy Mosque, built in 1854 for Sultan Abdul Mecit, is now party central.
MORE ON ISTANBUL
It's modern and Muslim, European and Asian, cutting-edge and conservative—and though at least two millennia old, thrillingly hip. Joan Juliet Buck succumbs to Istanbul's potent persuasions"
More:Istanbul's Lush Life from Condé Nast Traveler on Concierge.com
Turkish court allows assassination case to be merged with coup plot prosecution
"Turkish court allows assassination case to be merged with coup plot prosecution
Amelia Mathias at 8:18 AM ET
Photo source or description
[JURIST] Turkey's Eleventh Criminal Court in Ankara on Monday granted permission for a case involving the 2006 killing of a senior judge by lawyer Alparslan Aslan to be merged with a larger case against alleged Ergenekon [BBC backgrounder] coup leaders. Ergenekon is accused of planning to destabilize the country's Justice and Development Party (AKP) [official website, in Turkish] led government in an effort to incite a military coup. The court found that the judge's killing could have been part [UPI report] of the group's efforts [Hurriyet Daily News report], which also included the creation of a supposed 'hit list' of prominent Turkish figures, bombings at the daily newspaper Cumhuriyet [media website, in Turkish], and the assassination of the journalist Hrant Dink. In order for the cases to be merged, the Thirteenth Criminal Court, which is hearing the Ergenekon case, must also approve the move. The Supreme Court had previously permitted the two cases to be joined, and if they are, they will be tried in Istanbul."
More:JURIST - Paper Chase: Turkish court allows assassination case to be merged with coup plot prosecution
Amelia Mathias at 8:18 AM ET
Photo source or description
[JURIST] Turkey's Eleventh Criminal Court in Ankara on Monday granted permission for a case involving the 2006 killing of a senior judge by lawyer Alparslan Aslan to be merged with a larger case against alleged Ergenekon [BBC backgrounder] coup leaders. Ergenekon is accused of planning to destabilize the country's Justice and Development Party (AKP) [official website, in Turkish] led government in an effort to incite a military coup. The court found that the judge's killing could have been part [UPI report] of the group's efforts [Hurriyet Daily News report], which also included the creation of a supposed 'hit list' of prominent Turkish figures, bombings at the daily newspaper Cumhuriyet [media website, in Turkish], and the assassination of the journalist Hrant Dink. In order for the cases to be merged, the Thirteenth Criminal Court, which is hearing the Ergenekon case, must also approve the move. The Supreme Court had previously permitted the two cases to be joined, and if they are, they will be tried in Istanbul."
More:JURIST - Paper Chase: Turkish court allows assassination case to be merged with coup plot prosecution
Swedish PM urges Turkey to settle Cyprus question: report — EUbusiness.com - business, legal and economic news and information from the European Union
"Swedish PM urges Turkey to settle Cyprus question: report
21 April 2009, 20:32 CET
(ANKARA) - Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on Tuesday backed Turkey for EU membership, but stressed that a settlement the Cyprus would help the process, the Anatolia news agency reported."
More:Swedish PM urges Turkey to settle Cyprus question: report — EUbusiness.com - business, legal and economic news and information from the European Union
21 April 2009, 20:32 CET
(ANKARA) - Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on Tuesday backed Turkey for EU membership, but stressed that a settlement the Cyprus would help the process, the Anatolia news agency reported."
More:Swedish PM urges Turkey to settle Cyprus question: report — EUbusiness.com - business, legal and economic news and information from the European Union
Turkish man opens fire in municipal office - Taiwan News Online
"Turkish man opens fire in municipal office
By SELCAN HACAOGLU
Associated Press
2009-04-22 12:20 AM
An angry municipal employee opened fire with an assault rifle in an office in southern Turkey, wounding four people before turning himself in, authorities said.
The worker was recently reassigned to a department in charge of cleaning, said Faruk Pinarbasi, mayor of the town of Birecik in Sanliurfa province where the attack took place. The worker had previously worked for a department responsible for gardening."
More:Turkish man opens fire in municipal office - Taiwan News Online
By SELCAN HACAOGLU
Associated Press
2009-04-22 12:20 AM
An angry municipal employee opened fire with an assault rifle in an office in southern Turkey, wounding four people before turning himself in, authorities said.
The worker was recently reassigned to a department in charge of cleaning, said Faruk Pinarbasi, mayor of the town of Birecik in Sanliurfa province where the attack took place. The worker had previously worked for a department responsible for gardening."
More:Turkish man opens fire in municipal office - Taiwan News Online
Turkey's president promises closer Lebanon ties
"Turkey's president promises closer Lebanon ties
ANKARA (AP): Turkey's president promised greater military, humanitarian and trade ties with Lebanon on Tuesday in the first official visit between leaders of both countries in more than a half century.
President Abdullah Gul announced the plans after meeting with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman."
More:The Hindu News Update Service
ANKARA (AP): Turkey's president promised greater military, humanitarian and trade ties with Lebanon on Tuesday in the first official visit between leaders of both countries in more than a half century.
President Abdullah Gul announced the plans after meeting with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman."
More:The Hindu News Update Service
Turkey Arrests 37 in al Qaeda Crackdown - WSJ.com
"Turkey Arrests 37 in al Qaeda Crackdown
By NICHOLAS BIRCH
ISTANBUL -- Turkish anti-terror police arrested 37 people Tuesday in the latest crackdown on extremist militants suspected of planning attacks on Turkish soil.
In coordinated raids just after dawn, security forces detained 20 people at suspected al Qaeda cell houses in central and southern Turkey, Turkey's official news agency Anatolia reported."
More:Turkey Arrests 37 in al Qaeda Crackdown - WSJ.com
By NICHOLAS BIRCH
ISTANBUL -- Turkish anti-terror police arrested 37 people Tuesday in the latest crackdown on extremist militants suspected of planning attacks on Turkish soil.
In coordinated raids just after dawn, security forces detained 20 people at suspected al Qaeda cell houses in central and southern Turkey, Turkey's official news agency Anatolia reported."
More:Turkey Arrests 37 in al Qaeda Crackdown - WSJ.com
Turkey "Closer And Closer" To EU
"Turkey 'Closer And Closer' To EU - EU Presidency
Tuesday April 21st, 2009 / 18h50
PRAGUE (AFP)--Turkey is getting closer to the European Union and talks on its accession should proceed despite divergences over its future membership, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said Tuesday.
'The continuing accession negotiations show that Turkey is getting closer and closer to the E.U.,' said Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the E.U. presidency."
More:Turkey "Closer And Closer" To EU - EU Presidency - EasyBourse actualité
Tuesday April 21st, 2009 / 18h50
PRAGUE (AFP)--Turkey is getting closer to the European Union and talks on its accession should proceed despite divergences over its future membership, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said Tuesday.
'The continuing accession negotiations show that Turkey is getting closer and closer to the E.U.,' said Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the E.U. presidency."
More:Turkey "Closer And Closer" To EU - EU Presidency - EasyBourse actualité
Turkey’s Energy Minister Pressures Nabucco Partners | Turkish Forum
"Turkey’s Energy Minister Pressures Nabucco Partners
Publication: Volume: 6 Issue: 75
April 20, 2009 02:19 PM
By: Saban Kardas
On April 17 Turkey’s Energy Minister Hilmi Guler, attended a meeting on the future of the Turkish energy sector where he highlight the need to invest in renewable energy resources and diversify its hydrocarbon supplies. In that context, Guler sent important messages to Turkey’s Nabucco partners. Asked about the current standing of the Nabucco project, he said that draft intergovernmental and host government agreements had been conveyed to Ankara’s partners. “We told them that if we receive their response this month, we are ready to sign the agreement in June…we have full confidence that we can conclude the project, provided that our partners respond to the letter promptly” (www.haberturk.com, April 17)."
More:Turkey’s Energy Minister Pressures Nabucco Partners | Turkish Forum
Publication: Volume: 6 Issue: 75
April 20, 2009 02:19 PM
By: Saban Kardas
On April 17 Turkey’s Energy Minister Hilmi Guler, attended a meeting on the future of the Turkish energy sector where he highlight the need to invest in renewable energy resources and diversify its hydrocarbon supplies. In that context, Guler sent important messages to Turkey’s Nabucco partners. Asked about the current standing of the Nabucco project, he said that draft intergovernmental and host government agreements had been conveyed to Ankara’s partners. “We told them that if we receive their response this month, we are ready to sign the agreement in June…we have full confidence that we can conclude the project, provided that our partners respond to the letter promptly” (www.haberturk.com, April 17)."
More:Turkey’s Energy Minister Pressures Nabucco Partners | Turkish Forum
Council of State Attack to be Merged With Ergenekon Case
"Council of State Attack to be Merged With Ergenekon Case
An Ankara court rules to refer the case to the ongoing Ergenekon trial. One judge had lost his life when a gunmen raided the Council of State in 2006."
More:Bianet :: Council of State Attack to be Merged With Ergenekon Case
An Ankara court rules to refer the case to the ongoing Ergenekon trial. One judge had lost his life when a gunmen raided the Council of State in 2006."
More:Bianet :: Council of State Attack to be Merged With Ergenekon Case
US and Cyprus underline desire to upgrade relations
"US and Cyprus underline desire to upgrade relations
April 21, 2009 - By Apostolis Zoupaniotis (CNA)
The US intention to upgrade cooperation with Cyprus on bilateral and regional issues was confirmed during meetings Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou held with US Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."
More:Financialmirror.com News - US and Cyprus underline desire to upgrade relations
April 21, 2009 - By Apostolis Zoupaniotis (CNA)
The US intention to upgrade cooperation with Cyprus on bilateral and regional issues was confirmed during meetings Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou held with US Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."
More:Financialmirror.com News - US and Cyprus underline desire to upgrade relations
Turkey, Kurds Ponder U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq : NPR
"Turkey, Kurds Ponder U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq
by Peter Kenyon
Listen Now [4 min 34 sec] add to playlist
Morning Edition, April 21, 2009 · Next year's planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq has injected a new urgency into some long-running disputes in the area. Turkey, for instance, is working hard to reach new understandings with the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq, and with the central government in Baghdad. The diplomatic shift is raising both hopes and fears within Turkey's Kurdish community."
More:Turkey, Kurds Ponder U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq : NPR
by Peter Kenyon
Listen Now [4 min 34 sec] add to playlist
Morning Edition, April 21, 2009 · Next year's planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq has injected a new urgency into some long-running disputes in the area. Turkey, for instance, is working hard to reach new understandings with the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq, and with the central government in Baghdad. The diplomatic shift is raising both hopes and fears within Turkey's Kurdish community."
More:Turkey, Kurds Ponder U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq : NPR
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