Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-06-06

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>

06 JUNE 1998

CONTENTS

[01] EUROPEAN MINISTERS AND BUSINESSMEN DUE TO COME TOGETHER IN ISTANBUL, IN JUNE 8-9

[02] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, RETURNS TO TURKEY - ECEVIT: ''CHINA IS A COUNTRY THAT CANNOT BE NEGLECTED''

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY

[04] CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES IN THE AEGEAN - TURKEY EXPECTS CONSTRUCTIVE STEPS FROM GREECE

[05] SECKINER, STATE MINISTER, RETURNS TO TURKEY - SECKINER: ''WE AGREED TO INCREASE TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN TURKEY AND SLOVAKIA WITHIN A YEAR''

[06] FRENCH PLANE OVERCOMES DANGER IN THE AIR

[07] ''TURKEY-ISRAEL: A CENTURY LONG MUTUAL HISTORY'' MEETING - SHAKED, ISRAELI CONSUL GENERAL IN ISTANBUL: ''MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES CONSIDER TURKISH-ISRAELI MILITARY AGREEMENT AS A PROVOCATION''

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS RELATED WITH YILMAZ-BAYKAL AGREEMENT

[09] US SATISFIED OVER TURKISH-GREEK AGREEMENT

[10] GERMAN-TURKISH FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED IN HAMBURG

[11] BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION SUMMIT - PRESIDENT DEMIREL GIVES MESSAGES TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF ARMENIA AT HIS MEETING WITH ARMENIAN PRESIDENT KOCARIAN - DEMIREL: ''TURKEY'S POLICY IS BASED ON PEACE''

[12] ''TURKISH-JAPANESE KOBI COOPERATION SEMINAR'' - KARAOSMANOGLU, CHIEF COUNCELOR OF THE ISO: - ''THE TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN TURKEY AND JAPAN DOES'T REFLECT THE REAL POTENTIALS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES''

[01] EUROPEAN MINISTERS AND BUSINESSMEN DUE TO COME TOGETHER IN ISTANBUL, IN JUNE 8-9

Foreign Economic Affairs Committee (DEIK) said in a written statement that Istanbul will host both the Southeast European Foreign Ministers Meeting and the Southeast European Businessmen Conference in June 8-9.

Government officials, businessmen and chairmen of the trade chambers from Turkey, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia and Romania will join the conference.

It was reported that the conference will focus on the issues such as energy, transportation, oil and natural gas.

The results of the Businessmen Conference will be taken up in the southeast Foreign Ministers Meeting.

[02] ECEVIT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, RETURNS TO TURKEY - ECEVIT: ''CHINA IS A COUNTRY THAT CANNOT BE NEGLECTED''

Addressing the journalists at the Ataturk Airport, Ecevit said that China is a country that cannot be neglected. He described his visit to China which lasted for one week, as very positive and successul.

Reminding that Isin Celebi, the State Minister, and Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister also visited China this year, Ecevit pointed out, ''China has a great power and potential. The economic crisis effecting all Southern Asia did not damage China. She makes realistic plans. There is a large unbalance against Turkey in the foreign trade with China. We should overcome this problem''.

Stressing that the connecting flights between Turkey and China make journeys longer, Ecevit noted, ''I hope direct flights will be held between the two countries in near future. This development will contribute to the economic and commercial relations with China''.

Meanwhile the plane carrying Ecevit and accompanying delegation overcomed a danger in air. The plane entered a cumulus cloud formation over the Indian Ocean one hour later its took off from Bangkok Airport. Plane falling an air-pocket was shaken for a while. Addressing the journalists after the incident, Ecevit praised pilot and and the crew for their calmness and said, ''death can come anywhere''.

[03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY

Speaking to reporters in Ankara's Esenboga Airport about his visit, Demirel said BSEC Charter took cooperation understanding which was formed since 1992, friendship and good neighborhood soul, mutual respect, friendship, strengthening of dialogue and cooperation, improving bilateral and multilateral cooperation and providing sustainable development in national economies as basis.

''This great step taken in Yalta created a golden opportunity for the joint welfare of people living in the Black Sea Basin and for the installation of a lasting peace and stability in the region'' Demirel said adding that ''all the participating countries revealed their will to evaluate this opportunity and this is very important for the future of BSEC.''

Demirel said he met the Presidents of Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Romania during the meeting and took up bilateral relations.

Demirel recalled that he would go to Astana on Monday to participate in Turkish Speaking Countries Summit.

[04] CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES IN THE AEGEAN - TURKEY EXPECTS CONSTRUCTIVE STEPS FROM GREECE

Foreign Ministry written statement said NATO Secretary General Javier Solana's statement that Turkey and Greece agreed to implement Confidence Buiding Measures in the Aegean which was specified in 1988, was an important step to reduce tension and risk of clash in the Aegean.

The statement recalled that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem invited Dimitri Nezeritis, Greece's Ambassador to Turkey, to foreign minisry on Feb 12 and made him a comprehensive proposal aiming to solve bilateral questions between the two countries.

Turkey's peace proposal included these elements: ''specifing existing Aegean problems between the two countries, and turning Mard Statement dated July 8, 1997 into a legal text, making cooperation with NATO Secretary Genral and implementation of Confidence Building Measures in the Aegean, Activating Wise Men Group Initiative soon, holding a meeting between the high raking officials of the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.''

Foreign Ministry statement said implementation of Confidence Building Measures was realized and that efforts should be expended to implement other articles.

The statement said turning Madrid Statement into a legal document was very important adding that a solid base could be created and the possibility of clash would be overcomed in case Madrid Statement turns into a legal document.

The statement said ''Greek government's efforts to respond to our calls and promise to implement Confidence Building Measures in the Aegean as a whole, to take constructive steps to this end, is very important for the regional stability and for the future of our bilateral relations.''

[05] SECKINER, STATE MINISTER, RETURNS TO TURKEY - SECKINER: ''WE AGREED TO INCREASE TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN TURKEY AND SLOVAKIA WITHIN A YEAR''

Addressing the journalists at the Esenboga Airport, Seckiner said, ''MED- TV's broadcast via Slovakia was stopped yesterday''.

Seckiner noted that they agreed to increase the trade volume between Turkey and Slovakia which was 47 million US Dollars in 1997, up to 200 million US Dollars within a year.

Noting that the 80 businessmen headed by Husamettin Kavi, joined the Business Council meeting, Seckiner told the reporters, ''positive dialogues were held between Turkish and Slovakian businessmen. The two sides need each others' assistance. Slovakia needs the services of food, textile, dam, highway and construction and Turkey needs natural gas, energy and defence services. Three Turkish delegations will visit Slovakia within two months and four Slovakian delegations will come to Turkey to discuss the joint defence cooperation opportunities.

Seckiner added that Turkey's natural gas consumption which is currently eight billion cubic metres, will increase to 54 billion cubic metres in 2005. He said that Turkey can make use of Slovakia's experience on construction of the gas pipelines and power plants and in return for this Turkey can help Slovakia for constructions of highways and dams.

Reminding that 24 Turkish companies took part in the trade fair in Nitra town, Seckiner called on Turkish businessmen to help the increase of trade volume between Turkey and Slovakia.

[06] FRENCH PLANE OVERCOMES DANGER IN THE AIR

The captain of the AOM French Airlines plane managed to land it in the Antalya Airport at 1.40 a.m. (10:40 GMT) on �ts belly shortly after taking off after circling the airport for more than two hours to burn off fuel before attempt�ng the emergency land�ng. It stopped after sliding almost the entire length of the runway.

The plane was en route from Antalya's Ataturk Airport to Paris.

``Everything seems under control,'' Tourism Minister Ibrahim Gurdal said adding that he congratulated the pilots over their success.

Officials said passengers applauded the captain after he landed the airliner safely. Experts were expected at the airport to look into the cause of the emergency landing.

[07] ''TURKEY-ISRAEL: A CENTURY LONG MUTUAL HISTORY'' MEETING - SHAKED, ISRAELI CONSUL GENERAL IN ISTANBUL: ''MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES CONSIDER TURKISH-ISRAELI MILITARY AGREEMENT AS A PROVOCATION''

Shaked pointed out that the Arab countries cannot accept secular Turkey which is a member of the NATO, adding ''the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) declared its independence in 1983, but none of the Arab countries recognized the TRNC except Bangladesh but it withdrew its decision the same day due to pressure.''

Noting that the economic, political and military cooperations between Turkey and Israel were distorted by some of the Arab countries, Shaked pointed out that these relations between the two countries have no objectives directed to a third country. He reminded that Turkey and Israel invited other countries to join in the cooperation, but only Jordan joined them and Egypt prefered a partial participation.

Shaked said, ''the Middle East countries consider the military agreement as a provocation and use it as an excuse to cut their strategical relations with Israel.''

Shaked emphasized that the partnership of the regional countries can contribute to the solutions of many regional problems such as the water problem.

[08] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RETURNS TO TURKEY - DEMIREL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS RELATED WITH YILMAZ-BAYKAL AGREEMENT

Responding to the questions of reporters on the plane on his return from Yalta where he participated in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) summit, Demirel said government did not resign at the moment. ''I will not discuss how a new government will be established. I will think on it when the government resigns'' he added.

Demirel said he would accept when Prime Minister comes with the resignation and than he would think on how a new government could be established adding that there was nothing to get paniced.

[09] US SATISFIED OVER TURKISH-GREEK AGREEMENT

High ranking officials of the US State Department told A.A correspondent that they always supported initiatives of Javier Solana, NATO Secretary General and that they would continue to support the efforts to the taking of ''Confidence Building Measures.''

The US officials, identifying the agreement said ''positive and encouraging'' and pointed out that ''we want peace and stability to be maintained in the region.''

Turkey and Greece earlier expressed will to keep away from the initiatives that will cause a danger in the open seas and internatonal air space. None of the sides will stage maneuvers in the Aegean between June 1 and Sept 1.

The possibility of a hot clash in the Aegean between Turkey and Greece is a nightmare for the US in a period when NATO expands.

[10] GERMAN-TURKISH FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED IN HAMBURG

Vural Oger, one of the founders of the foundation, said Turkey did not have more close neighbor then Europe adding that ''of course, Turkey would like to carry out positive relations with former Soviet Republics, Syria and Iran.''

Oger said there will be a very big impact on Turkey in case Europe choses Turkey because there will be an explosion of the multilateral creative powers and democracy powers.

Oger said ''Turkey is a market. Turkey is a producer. Turkey's geostrategic importance increased a lot after the end of cold war. If there are people who can not understand this, I advise them to listen to the words of US government to this end.''

Oger said they would open a bureau in Turkey adding that they would make use of democratic powers of Turkey and get support from the brain power.

Ishak Alaton, businessman, addressing the Foundation said integration of Turkish citizens living in Germany with German citiznes was very important adding that ''we should give respectablity to Turkish community living in Germany.''

Noting that Turkish business world was wounded when doors were closed to Turkey during the European Union (EU) summit held in Luxembourg, Alaton said ''you failed to expend support to us, you were unfair to us.''

Meanwhile, Roman Herzog, German President sent a congratulory message to the foundation meeting of German-Turkish Foundation and said ''any kind of initiative which will contribute to the improvement of dialogue between the cultures, is very important. I welcome your efforts and I wish success to this end.''

Edzard Schmidt-Jortzig, German Justice Minister said a bridge was opening with the Foundation.

[11] BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION SUMMIT - PRESIDENT DEMIREL GIVES MESSAGES TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF ARMENIA AT HIS MEETING WITH ARMENIAN PRESIDENT KOCARIAN - DEMIREL: ''TURKEY'S POLICY IS BASED ON PEACE''

Reminding that Leonid Kuchma, The Ukranian President, organized the meeting, Demirel stressed that he told Kuchma that Turkey's policy was based on peace and Armenia will benefit from the relations with Turkey.

Demirel said, ''I told Kuchma that Armenia occupied the lands of Azerbaijan and forced more than one million people to leave their homes. Turkey has no direct problems with Armenia, but Armenian attitude against Azerbaijan caused deep sorrow among the Turkish people''.

President Demirel noted, ''Kuchma said that Turkey should not connect her relations with Armenia with the Azerbaijan problem and stressed that they aim to normalize their relations with Turkey''. Demirel also reminded that he held talks with the Greek Premier during the Summit. He added that they discussed the ''confidence building measures in the Aegean'' with Kostas Simitis, Greek Prime Minister. He said that the Kosovo problem was also taken up during the meetings.

[12] ''TURKISH-JAPANESE KOBI COOPERATION SEMINAR'' - KARAOSMANOGLU, CHIEF COUNCELOR OF THE ISO: - ''THE TRADE VOLUME BETWEEN TURKEY AND JAPAN DOES'T REFLECT THE REAL POTENTIALS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES''

Addressing the opening ceremony of the seminar ''Turkish-Japanese Small and Medium Scaled Enterprises (KOBI) Cooperation'' organized by Halk Bank, Karaosmanoglu pointed out that Japanese economy gives trade surplus of 83 billion US Dollars annually.

Ersen Ekren, the Turkish Chief Counsellor Responsible for Economy in Japan, emphasized the saving tendency of the Japanese people and noted that most of the Japanese people saves 32 percent of their income.

Pointing out that 17 million Japanese tourists preferred foreign countries for their holiday last year, Ekren said that only 70-80 thousand of these tourists came to Turkey.

Stressing that the most of the Japanese businessmen make their investments in the US and in the Asian countries, Ekren noted that the Japanese investment in the Middle East region including Turkey is only 0.9 billion US Dollars.

Hitoshi Takano, the Director General of the Jetro Business Supporting Center, said that Japanese businessmen don't neglect Turkey on the investments. He also added that Turkey should promote herself to the world.

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