Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey sweep, June 15

Armenia

1. Armenia is ready to resume consultations with Turkey, if it change its position on the signed protocols between the two countries, the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in Tbilisi.

2. Armenia attaches importance to cooperation with NATO, both for development of political dialogue and implementation of defense reform, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister said. The Deputy Foreign Minister also informed that Yerevan will host Disaster Response Exercise in September 2010, bringing together experts and representatives of state agencies from over 50 countries.

3.  Iran attaches great significance to expanding cooperation with Armenia, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security, Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated at his meeting with Armenian Ambassador to Iran Grigory Arakelyan.

4. Armenia's Committee to Protect Political Prisoners said it will hold a sit-in on June 18 in Liberty Square in Yerevan in support of opposition members who remain in jail.

Azerbaijan

1. The subsidiary company of the Turkish Airlines will launch flights from Istanbul to Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic on June 26, a company statement said on June 15.

2. Azerbaijan celebrated today the National Salvation Day, commemorating the election of Aliyev as chairman of the Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on June 15, 1993.

3. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan (2000-2003), the current head of the Eurasian Center at the Atlantic Council, Ross Wilson. Mammadyarov said about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that it can be solved only on the basis of international principles and law, within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Georgia

1. Iran and Georgia signed an agreement on lifting visa requirements for the two countries' nationals. Based on the agreements held between Iran and Georgia, the visa regime for tourism and trade between the two countries was lifted and the agreement will be put into force from the next month.

2. A Georgian delegation has returned from Afghanistan. The Georgian defence minister Bacho Akhalaia visited Georgian troops taking part in the peacekeeping mission there. The Georgian delegation also met the commander of the coalition forces, Stanley McChrystal, in Kabul.

3. Relations between Georgia and NATO, in particular a new strategy for Georgia's integration into the Alliance were discussed in Tbilisi by the Latvian State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Janis Sarts and Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia Alexander Nalbandov.

4. Political consultations between foreign ministries of Georgia and Poland were held in Tbilisi.During the consultations, the sides discussed a broad spectrum of current political and economic issues, as well as the issues of enhancement of existing bilateral relations between Georgia and Poland, current relations with the EU and NATO and future prospects.  

Turkey

1. Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday lashed out at the United States for employing double standards in the Middle East, but insisted that Washington remained a "lasting friend." "Breaking away from the West or the East is neither possible nor right for Turkey. This is an undeniable fact that history has shown," Erdogan said.

2. South Korea and Turkey signed a pact Tuesday on close cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, raising chances of local companies winning a deal to build an atomic power plant in the Eurasian country.

3. The Peace and Democracy Party gave a censure motion against Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan on June 15. The censure motion, which was submitted to the parliament by BDP's Deputy Group Chairpersons Ayla Akat Ata and Bengi Yildiz, accused Premier Erdogan of not living up to promises given in the government programme and failure to achieve set targets.

4. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a meeting with Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin on Tuesday underlined the importance of Tehran and Ankara's role in the world equations. "Today Iran and Turkey enjoy an excellent and unique role in international equations and the two countries will be two righteous and humane powers of the world in future," Ahmadinejad said.

5. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday acknowledged diplomatic significance of Tehran Declaration on the fuel swap. "The Tehran Declaration was not in contradiction with the demand made by the US President Barack Obama in his letters to me and Brazilian president," he said.

6. Exports of goods from Turkey's southeast region to the European Union countries were up in the first five months of 2010, a local union of exporters said on June 15. Figures were up in January-May period by 14 per cent to reach 348.5m dollars from 306.1m dollars a year earlier.

7. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu arrived in Oslo, Norway on Tuesday upon an invitation by his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store. Minister Davutoglu will deliver a speech during the "Oslo Forum 2010-Annual Mediator Retreat" during his visit to Norway.

8. France has opened an office in Istanbul to promote investment opportunities in the country as part of drive to boost economic relations with Turkey.The office, Invest in France, was opened on Tuesday on the sidelines of a meeting of the Turkish-French Business Forum in Istanbul, co-organized by Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and the French Foreign Trade Agency, UBIFRANCE.

9. Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said the decline in the unemployment rate did not come as a surprise, estimating that it would continue to fall. Turkey's statistics authority, TurkStat, announced the unemployment rate for March as 13.7 per cent on Tuesday.

10. Pakistani Air Forces Commander Gen. Rao Qamar Suleman met with Turkish Air Forces Commander Gen. Hasan Aksay in Ankara on Tuesday.

11. Turkey is set to host a summit meeting of heads of state and government of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) which will be held on 23 June in Istanbul under the chairmanship of Turkish President Abdullah Gul, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday [15 June].

12. Turkish and Senegalese governments signed an agreement on Mutual Incentives and Protection of Investments in Ankara on Tuesday.

13. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the commission established by Israel to investigate the attack on the six-ship flotilla carrying aid to Gaza met neither Turkey's nor international community's expectations.

14. Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Tuesday that the North Korean nuclear crisis, just like the Iranian nuclear issue, should be resolved through diplomacy despite military tensions on the Korean Peninsula that have deepened since the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship in March. Gul, however, said Ankara, a tentative member of the UN Security Council, will not vote against Seoul's campaign to punish Pyongyang at the world body, adding it is different from the US-led sanctions resolution against Iran.

15. The Turkish foreign minister denied on Tuesday allegations that Turkish foreign policy was not interested in Central Asia.  "Turkey was one of the first countries that assumed an attitude very actively after incidents broke out in Kyrgyzstan," Davutoglu said. 

16. Turkey's European Union (EU) chief negotiator said on June 15 that Turkey would complete its EU journey with membership. "There is not any country that launched negotiations with the EU, but failed to complete them," State Minister and EU chief negotiator Egemen Bagis said.

17. Turkey's budget deficit dropped 51.7 per cent in January-May period of 2010. Finance Ministry stated on Tuesday [15 June] that the budget expenses decreased 2.1 per cent to

19.054bn Turkish lira (TL) in May 2010 when compared to May 2009. Also, budget income increased 31.9 per cent to 24.8bn TL.

18.  The "First Regional Workshop on Fight against Illicit Drug Trafficking" has begun in Istanbul with the participation of ministers and experts from Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan.

19. Blocking the Erzincan state highway, a group of Kurdish last night guerrillas made identification control. It was stated that guerrillas had conversations with the owners of the vehicles they stopped. 

Armenia

1. FM: Armenia ready to continue negotiations with Turkey, if it changes position 15.06.2010 16:59 http://en.trend.az/news/politics/foreign/1704628.html

 Georgia, Tbilisi, June 15 / Trend, N. Kirtskhalia /

Armenia is ready to resume consultations with Turkey, if it change its position on the signed protocols between the two countries, the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in Tbilisi.

This statement was made after the meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, which lasted an hour and a half behind closed doors.

"Turkey has blocked two protocols that have been agreed between the two countries, which led to stagnation in the negotiating process, and if Turkey shows willingness to adopt them, we will be ready to resume these talks," Nalbandian said.

To the question whether Armenia is ready for Georgia's mediation in the process of negotiations with Turkey, Nalbandian answered that "welcomes any mediation effort, if it contributes to the negotiations."

2. Yerevan to host NATO Disaster Response Exercise in Sept. 2010http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/politics/news/50033/ June 15, 2010 - 13:40 AMT 08:40 GMTPanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia attaches importance to cooperation with NATO, both for development of political dialogue and implementation of defense reform, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister said.

“Starting with 1990-ies, Armenia-NATO cooperation has undergone a number of stages. Ensuring sustainable development, we collaborate in the framework of IPAP, interact to combat terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” Arman Kirakossian said during the seminar on Improving Public Perceptions on NATO Operations and Security/Defense Sector Reform.“Realizing the significance of responding to challenges, Armenia participates in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and will continue contributing to international security,” he said.The Deputy Foreign Minister also informed that Yerevan will host Disaster Response Exercise in September 2010, bringing together experts and representatives of state agencies from over 50 countries

3. Iran ready to foster relations with Armenia in all fields, Iranian official sayshttp://news.am/eng/news/22377.html

June 15, 2010 | 12:46 Iran attaches great significance to expanding cooperation with Armenia, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security, Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated at his meeting with RA Ambassdor to Iran Grigory Arakelyan.The RA Ambassdor emphasized Iran is among Armenia’s foreign policy priorities. The Armenian leaders intend to develop bilateral relations in every possible way.Arakelyan noted Armenia stimulates Iranian investments and attaches importance to the expansion of bilateral economic ties.Boroujerdi stressed Teheran’s policy aims at establishing and strengthening stability and security in the region. Long-term security and stability in the region depends on regional cooperation, he said. Iran is ready to develop relations with Armenia in all fields, the Iranian official said.

4. Armenian Opposition To Hold Sit-In At Yerevan Square http://www.rferl.org/content/Armenian_Opposition_To_Hold_SitIn_At_Yerevan_Square_/2071799.html June 15, 2010 YEREVAN -- An Armenian opposition group says it will proceed with plans to stage a sit-in at Yerevan's central square, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.

Armenia's Committee to Protect Political Prisoners said on June 14 it will hold the sit-in on June 18 in Liberty Square in support of opposition members who remain in jail.

The committee is linked to the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK).

The Yerevan municipality refused to sanction the protest last week, saying the square was already booked for daily children festivals that started on June 10.

Committee member Vartan Harutiunian said the committee will defy the "illegal and arbitrary" prohibition. But he said protesters will not challenge police. "If they surround Liberty Square with police forces and try to provoke a clash, we will avoid a clash," he told RFE/RL.

In a related development, Yerevan police on June 14 questioned three HAK members over their involvement in scuffles with police who were blocking access to Liberty Square.

A police spokesman told RFE/RL that HAK foreign policy spokesman Vladimir Karapetian and two other activists had been summoned to the police department in Yerevan's Kentron district as part of a criminal investigation.

All three men refused to provide any formal explanations, saying it is the police who broke the law during the incidents near Liberty Square in late May and early this month.

The square had served as the main venue for political gatherings in Armenia until it was closed in mid-2008 due to the construction of a large underground parking garage. Small groups of HAK activists attempted to gather there for several consecutive days immediately after it was reopened to the public last month.  

Azerbaijan

1. Turkish Airlines subsidiary to fly to Azerbaijan's Nakhichevan from 26 Jun Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Istanbul, 15 June 2010: The subsidiary company of the Turkish Airlines (THY) will launch flights to Nakhichevan on 26 June, a company statement said on Tuesday [15 June].AnadoluJet will start operating direct flights from Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side to Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic on 26 June. This will be AnadoluJet's third foreign destination from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. The other two are Stockholm and Copenhagen.Flights from Sabiha Gokcen to Nakhichevan will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and from Nakhichevan to Sabiha Gokcen, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.In May, Turkey's national air carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) announced that it would operate direct flights from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Nakhichevan as of June 17.AnadoluJet was founded on 23 April 2008 by Turkish Airlines as a separate brand. The number of passengers carried by the Ankara-based airline has increased by 65 per cent, and the occupancy rate has reached 85 per cent. It reached 3 million passengers as of end-2009.The company started operations with five airplanes, growing to a fleet of seven airplanes before the end of its first year, and serves 27 domestic destinations.Its first international destination was the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Its second international destination was Damascus, Syria. Flights between Ankara and Damascus began on March 4.Other international flights of the company began in May and June. They are German cities of Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Cologne; Austrian capital of Vienna; Belgium capital of Brussels; Dutch capital of Amsterdam; Iranian capital of Tehran; Danish capital of Copenhagen; and Swedish capital of Stockholm.Source: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 0949 gmt 15 Jun 10 BBC Mon EU1 EuroPol FS1 FsuPol ds

2. Azerbaijan marks National Salvation Dayhttp://en.trend.az/news/official/chronicle/1703321.html15.06.2010 00:01Today Azerbaijan marks the National Salvation Day.Azerbaijan got its independence in October 1991. The first years of the independence are characterized by the crisis within the country and in the government. Chaos occupied all the spheres of the social life. The case was harder in the army, as the number of desertion increased. Armenia increased its occupation day by day. Azerbaijan faced a crisis in the authorities. Separate individuals and groups struggled among themselves for power in the young republic. National Front occupied the power of the state May 14, 1992 and showed inability to lead the state on the first days of its ill-determined ruling. In 1993 Azerbaijan faced the danger of the civil war.On such a hard period of time people invited the prominent son of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev from Nakhchivan to Baku. Aliyev came to Baku June 19, with the insistence of the people and the authorities of the republic.Aliyev prevented civil war in Azerbaijan in a short period of time.Aliyev was elected the chairman of the Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet June 15, 1993 and this date entered our history as the National Salvation Day. The Azerbaijani Parliament declared June 15 a holiday in June 1997 with the insistence of the people.

3. Azerbaijani FM receives director of Atlantic Council's Eurasian Center

http://en.trend.az/news/politics/foreign/1704640.htmlAzerbaijan, Baku, June 14 /Trend, A.Gasimova/Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan (2000-2003), the current head of the Eurasian Center at the Atlantic Council, Ross Wilson, the Foreign Ministry reported.During the meeting, Wilson told about the activities of the center, noting that the center deals with economic, trade, political and energy issues. In his turn, the Azerbaijani minister touched upon the question of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Mammadyarov said that this conflict can be solved only on the basis of international principles and law, within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, the sides discussed energy issues between the U.S. and Azerbaijan, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Georgia

1. Iran, Georgia Sign Agreement on Lifting Visa Requirements18:51 | 2010-06-15

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8903251687

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran and Georgia signed an agreement on lifting visa requirements for the two

countries' nationals.    Based on the agreements held between Iran and Georgia, the visa regime for tourism and trade between the two countries was lifted and the agreement will be put into force from the next month, Secretary of Forum on "Investment Opportunities in Georgia" Mir-Qassem Momeni told FNA on Tuesday.

Momeni added that the agreement will provide new chances for increasing and deepening bilateral ties between Iran and Georgia.

Earlier in May, Tehran and Tbilisi in a reciprocal move agreed on lifting visa requirements for the two countries' nationals to show friendship and solidarity between the two Asian states.

Georgian Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze, in a press conference in Tbilisi at the time, described the move as highly important.

"By lifting visa requirements, (the two countries') economic cooperation will further develop," she said.

Iran and Georgia have expanded their ties and cooperation in economic, industrial and trade fields in recent years.

In his visit to Tbilisi in May, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast had voiced Iran's willingness to continue expansion of ties with Georgia at the highest levels, and stated that the two sides' officials will soon sign a document on lifting visa requirements for exchange of visits by the two countries' nationals.

2. Georgian defence chief visits troops in Afghanistan Text of report by private Georgian Imedi TV [Presenter] A Georgian delegation has returned from Afghanistan. The Georgian defence minister [Bacho Akhalaia] visited Georgian troops taking part in the peacekeeping mission there. The Georgian delegation also met the commander of the coalition forces, Stanley McChrystal, in Kabul. He spoke about the importance of Georgia's participation in the operation and thanked the Georgian officials. Bacho Akhalaia was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Giorgi Baramidze, Georgia's envoy to NATO, Gega [Grigol] Mgaloblishvili, and the chairman of the parliamentary defence and security committee, Givi Targamadze.[Akhalaia, interviewed in Afghanistan] Our main aim in visiting today was to see the conditions in which our armed forces units deployed in Afghanistan are living. They have begun performing their main functions over the past few days and the American generals have told us that they are very satisfied with our armed forces, with the battalion serving here. And the most important thing is that our boys are quite satisfied with the experience they are gaining here.[Targamadze, interviewed in Afghanistan] They are now on the front line of this operation. They are trusted by the representatives of other countries' armies and our American partners do not hide how impressed they are with them.[Baramidze, interviewed in Afghanistan] They are taking part side by side with the Americans and the British in NATO's ISAF operation. It is a very big lesson for them. They are gaining

great experience and, of course, this [their participation] contributes enormously to making Georgia stronger and shoring up its positions in terms of future integration with NATO.Source: Imedi TV, Tbilisi, in Georgian 1300gmt 15 Jun 10

3. New strategy for relations between Georgia and NATO discussed in Tbilisi http://en.trend.az/print/1704994.html15.06.2010 17:57

Georgia, Tbilisi, June 15 / Trend,  N. Kirtskhalia /Relations between Georgia and NATO, in particular a new strategy for Georgia's integration into the Alliance were discussed in Tbilisi by the Latvian State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Janis Sarts and Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia Alexander Nalbandov.The two sides also discussed the agenda of the NATO Lisbon summit, the Foreign Ministry of Georgia said. Issues related to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe were considered. Sarts's visit will last until June 17. He is planned to meet with the deputy chairman of the National Security Council Levan Duchidze, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security Georgi Targamadze, the president of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies Alexander Rondeli and presidential adviser Basil Sikharulidze.Sarts plans to discuss the reform process in the field of security in Georgia and share experiences with colleagues. Georgia's cooperation with NATO will be considered and bilateral Latvian-Georgian cooperation in the sphere of defence will be discussed.

In addition, Sarts will address at the Conference on Georgia's Security in Batumi. Jointly with experts from the U.S. and Britain, he will assess the structural model of Defence of Latvia and other Baltic countries in the context of current volatile security environment. 4. Foreign Ministries of Georgia and Poland hold political consultationshttp://en.trend.az/news/politics/foreign/1704991.html 15.06.2010 16:13 Political consultations between foreign ministries of Georgia and Poland were held in Tbilisi.During the consultations, the sides discussed a broad spectrum of current political and economic issues, as well as the issues of enhancement of existing bilateral relations between Georgia and Poland, current relations with the EU and NATO and future prospects. At the meeting, the sides underlined the necessity of deepening cooperation in various fields and activating interaction in a multilateral format, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.At the meeting, the Polish side reaffirmed its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its universally acknowledged borders, as well as for the process of Georgia's integration with the European and Euro-Atlantic structures.The next round of political consultations will be held in Warsaw. 

Turkey

1. Turkish PM slams US double standardshttp://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=39564 Erdogan tells US: You speak about democracy but then you do all things contrary to democracy.

 ANKARA - Turkey's prime minister Tuesday lashed out at the United States for employing double standards in the Middle East, but insisted that Washington remained a "lasting friend."

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks came in a passionate speech on his Islamist-rooted government's close ties with Iran and tensions with Israel, which has sparked concern in Washington that NATO's sole mainly Muslim member is sliding away from the West.

"Breaking away from the West or the East is neither possible nor right for Turkey. This is an undeniable fact that history has shown," Erdogan told deputies of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in parliament.

"The country that can comprehend best Turkey's mission and importance is our lasting friend, the United States," he said.

Erdogan conceded "occasional" differences with Washington stemming from "the employment of different methods and a different listing of priorities" in regional affairs.

In a veiled criticism of US policies in the Middle East, he said: "You speak about democracy but then you do all things contrary to democracy... When it is convenient, you side with totalitarian authoritarian regimes and when it is convenient you speak of democracy."

But, he nonetheless pledged cooperation with Washington.

"The reflections of our alliance have been visible around the world for decades... In many regions, Turkey and the United States share common objectives.

"The US administration led by President (Barack) Obama should comprehend very well that Turkey's foreign policy attitude is of a quality that will not curb this cooperation but make it more efficient," he said.

2. S. Korea, Turkey sign MOU on nuclear energy cooperation

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2010/06/15/0502000000AEN20100615002900320.HTML

2010/06/15 12:00 KSTSEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Turkey signed a pact Tuesday on close cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, raising chances of local companies winning a deal to build an atomic power plant in the Eurasian country.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) marks the first official intergovernmental deal and is

expected to help ongoing efforts by South Korean companies to build the Sinop plant on Turkey's Black Sea coast, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said.

3. Turkey: Pro-Kurdish party submits censure motion against premier Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Ankara, 15 June: The Peace and Democracy Party gave a censure motion against Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday [15 June].The censure motion, which was submitted to the parliament by BDP's Deputy Group Chairpersons Ayla Akat Ata and Bengi Yildiz, accused Premier Erdogan of not living up to promises given in the government programme and failure to achieve set targets.The petition for censure motion said Erdogan, who set out for making a democratic opening, ended up making discrimination.In the motion petition BDP accused Erdogan of politicizing the judiciary and oppressing its opponents through phone tapping and secret monitoring, and creating a hopeless, tense, society divided by conflicts.Source: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 1300 gmt 15 Jun 10 BBC Mon EU1 EuroPol am

4. Ahmadinejad Stresses Iran, Turkey's Role in World Equations 19:17 | 2010-06-15  http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8903251715TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a meeting with Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin on Tuesday underlined the importance of Tehran and Ankara's role in the world equations

"Today Iran and Turkey enjoy an excellent and unique role in international equations and the two countries will be two righteous and humane powers of the world in future," Ahmadinejad said.

Noting that Iran and Turkey share common interests and are tasked with common missions, he said, "The two countries' cooperation is expanding based on brotherhood and trust."

Ahmadinejad also underscored the necessity for increasing the two parliaments' cooperation in different fields, and said both countries should use all their capabilities to further promote relations and cooperation.

Sahin, for his part, said that the relations between Iran and Turkey have reached an acceptable level, and praised the Iranian government's role in boosting the level of ties between the two states.

Iran and Turkey have in recent years boosted their cooperation in different fields of economy, security, trade, education and culture.

In its latest efforts to show friendship with Iran, Ankara joined Tehran and Brasilia in signing an agreement named the Tehran Declaration on swap of nuclear fuel for the Tehran research reactor on May 17. The epoch-making agreement, which could resolve a long-stalled standoff between

Iran and the West, envisaged swap of enriched uranium between Iran and potential suppliers via Turkey.

Based on the Tehran agreement, the fuel swap would take place nearly a month after receiving an official approval from the Vienna Group, which consists of representatives from potential suppliers - France, Russia and the US - and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the world's nuclear arbitration and supervision body.

But Russia, France, and the US, in three separate letters, instead of giving a definite response to the Tehran declaration raised some questions about the deal.

Some observers say that after the UN Security Council approved a new set of sanctions against Iran on Wednesday, the Tehran Declaration would remain at the level of a document which would not be implemented due to the West's all-or-nothing' approach towards nuclear deals with Iran.

Yet, Sahin said at a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Monday that the Tehran agreement is still alive and on the table.

Sahin lashed out at the West for its negative approach and attitude towards the Tehran agreement, and said, "The behavior they have shown indicates the importance of the declaration and for that reason Turkey believes that the declaration is still on the table."

The Turkish official underlined the importance of the Tehran agreement, saying that the declaration was resulted from a diplomacy-based and dialogue-based view.

5. Erdogan acknowledges importance of Tehran Declaration

GMT:  6/15/2010 2:55:20 PM    http://www.irna.ir/En/View/FullStory/?NewsId=1179739&IdLanguage=3

Ankara, June 15, IRNA -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday acknowledged diplomatic significance of Tehran Declaration on the fuel swap.Erdogan’s remarks in the parliament was aired live on different TV channels.

"The Tehran Declaration was not in contradiction with the demand made by the US President Barack Obama in his letters to me and Brazilian president," he said.

Criticizing the US efforts to impose sanctions on Iran, he said Turkey and Brazil gave negative vote to resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council.

Erdogan said that Turkey and Brazil believe in international peace and security and that the dispute on Iranian nuclear program must be resolved through political means.

Criticizing the dual standard polices of the western countries concerning Iran’s peaceful nuclear

program, he described them as opportunists cooperating with the non-democratic regimes and that they raise democracy for their own interests.

“What are you doing in Iraq and Afghanistan? Who is responsible for hundred thousands of casualties and hundred thousands of widows in the war-torn country? Do you think that you will be the final winner?,” he questioned.

Condemning the inhuman and dastard attack of the Zionist regime to Gaza flotilla, he referred to Zionists media and some Turkish media affiliated to the Zionists and said they try to justify the piracy on flotilla and threaten the Turkish government or put pressure on it, but to no avail.

The Turkish people do no heed such futile efforts, he said.

6. Exports from southeast Turkey to EU countries increase Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia on 15 June Exports of goods from Turkey's southeast region to the European Union countries were up in the first five months of 2010, a local union of exporters said on Tuesday [15 June]. Figures were up in January-May period by 14 per cent to reach 348.5m dollars from 306.1m dollars a year earlier.Textile products topped the list of the exported items from region to the EU with 237.6m dollars, which was followed by Turkish carpets with 70.7m dollars, dried fruits with 26.8m dollars, dry legumes with 13.1m dollars and fisheries with 236,000 dollars.Italy received the largest amount of exports from the Turkey's southeastern region with 75.5m dollars. Italy was followed by Germany with 52.5m dollars and United Kingdom with 35.5m dollars.Below is a list of EU countries receiving exported goods worth of more than 5m dollars:(JAN-MAY/US DOLLAR)COUNTRIES 2009 2010 CHANGE per centItaly 65,417,000; 75,496,000; 15 per centGermany 47,792,000; 52,561,000; 10 per centU.K. 21,901,000; 35,513,000; 62 per centPoland 29,528,000; 33,672,000; 14 per centBelgium 15,559,000; 21,611,000; 39 per centFrance 18,427,000; 21,771,000; 18 per centThe Netherlands 15,694,000; 18,420,000; 17 per centSpain 14,366,000; 17,472,000; 22 per centRomania 21,441,000; 26,188,000; 22 per centGreece 12,301,000; 9,021,000; -27 per centBulgaria 5,143,000; 6,353,000; 24 per centPortugal 11,044,000; 6,181,000 -44 per centSource: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 0850 gmt 15 Jun10

7. Turkey's FM in Norway for talkshttp://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=59959 

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu arrived in Oslo, Norway on Tuesday as the guest of his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store.

Tuesday, 15 June 2010 08:34Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu arrived in Oslo, Norway on Tuesday as the guest of his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store. 

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will pay a visit to the Norwegian capital of Oslo upon an invitation by his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store.

Davutoglu is expected to meet Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as well as Store, and address the Standing Committee on Foreign and Defense of the Norwegian Parliament.

Minister Davutoglu will deliver a speech during the "Oslo Forum 2010-Annual Mediators Retreat" during his visit to Norway.

The Oslo forum is widely acknowledged as the leading international network of armed conflict mediation practitioners. The Oslo forum regularly convenes senior conflict mediators, high level decision makers, key peace process actors, analysts and experts from a variety of institutional backgrounds in a series of informal and discreet retreats.

Each year in June, this global retreat convenes Special Representatives of the UN Secretary-General, representatives of key government players in conflict mediation as well as conflict parties and carefully selected actors from the private mediation sector. The annual global retreat offers an opportunity to draw on comparative and innovative approaches across regions and institutions for a comprehensive overview of mediation experiences, challenges and opportunities.  

8. French investment office opens in Istanbul Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Istanbul, 15 June 2010: France has opened an office in Istanbul to promote investment opportunities in the country as part of drive to boost economic relations with Turkey.The office, Invest in France, was opened on Tuesday on the sidelines of a meeting of the Turkish-French Business Forum in Istanbul, co-organized by Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and the French Foreign Trade Agency, UBIFRANCE.Delivering a video-message at the forum meeting, French Minister of Economic Affairs Christine Lagarde said her country attached great importance to cooperation with Turkey, adding that French companies had made sizable investments in Turkey and the countries had a large trade volume."Our economic relations saw a fairly minimal fallout from the global crisis in 2009 when compared to the rest of the world. And we saw an increase in the first quarter of 2010. This is a proof to the deepness and quality of our relations," Lagarde said.The French economy minister said her country was determined to boost business relations with Turkey, adding that "the Invest in France" office would exert efforts to invite Turkish businesspeople to invest in France and urge French investors to do business with Turkey.Source: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 0925 gmt 15 Jun 10

9. Turkish finance minister views declining unemployment Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia ["FINANCE MINISTER SAYS DECLINE IN TURKEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TO CONTINUE" - AA headline]ANKARA (A.A) - 15/06/2010 - Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said the decline in the unemployment rate did not come as a surprise, estimating that it would continue to fall.Turkey's statistics authority, TurkStat, announced the unemployment rate for March as 13.7 per cent on Tuesday.Simsek who spoke to reporters on his way out of a panel in Istanbul commented on the unemployment figures.He said Turkish economy resumed a trend of growth, and with growth came a decline in the unemployment rate.Simsek said their government was taking measures to take unemployment rate further down, noting that the key to creating jobs was increase in investments and growth."Decline in unemployment does not come as a surprise in that sense. It will continue to fall. In the months to come it will continue to fall both with the seasonality effect and the contribution of economic growth and new investments," said Simsek.Also commenting on the budget performance of their government in May and the first five months, Simsek said spending in the government budget was under control. He said a rise in the primary budget spending could be noticed noting that this was due to high expenditure on defence and infrastructure.Simsek said the revenues of the government rose significantly in the mean time."This has to do with the recovery in economy. But of course it is apparent that effectiveness of tax auditing and collection has also increased. For example, thanks to our efforts, we have 150,000 new tax payers with income from rent collections. As the Ministry of Finance we are satisfied with our performance said," Simsek.Source: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 1036 gmt 15 Jun 10

10. Pakistani Air Forces Commander in Turkey for meetinghttp://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=59996Pakistani Air Forces Commander Gen. Rao Qamar Suleman met with Turkish Air Forces Commander Gen. Hasan Aksay in Ankara on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Gen. Aksay decorated his Pakistani counterpart with the Turkish Armed Forces' Medal of Merit for his efforts to further develop existing friendly ties between Turkish and Pakistani armed forces.

11. Turkey to host southeast European cooperation summit in Istanbul 23 Jun Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Ankara, 15 June 2010: Turkey is set to host a summit meeting of heads of state and government of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) which will be held on 23 June in Istanbul under the chairmanship of Turkish President Abdullah Gul, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday [15 June].The meeting will be preceded by a gathering of the foreign ministers of the SEECP member countries on June 22 under the chairmanship of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The summit meeting will bring together leaders of the eleven member countries as well as representatives from guest countries and international institutions such the EU, NATO, the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization.Also, Turkey is set to handover the rotating leadership of the SEECP to Montenegro.Source: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 0951 gmt 15 Jun 10

12. Turkey, Senegal sign investment agreement Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia ["TURKEY AND SENEGAL SIGN AGREEMENT TO BOOST INVESTMENTS" - AA headline]ANKARA (A.A) - 15/06/2010 - Turkish and Senegalese governments signed an agreement on Mutual Incentives and Protection of Investments in Ankara on Tuesday.The agreement was signed by Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay and Senegal's Foreign Minister Madicke Niang.Atalay underlined importance of Senegal in Turkey's policy in opening to Africa and referred to Senegal's position in Organization of Islamic Conference.Atalay said trade volume between Turkey and Senegal was increasing, and noted that economic relations of the two countries would improve with the trade agreement.Senegalese foreign minister said Turkey was one of the first countries recognizing Senegal's independence, and thanked Turkish government.Niang said his government welcomed leadership role assumed by Turkey in the region.Source: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 0936 gmt 15 Jun 10

13. Turkish Foreign Ministry says Israeli flotilla probe not meeting expectations Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia ["TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS ISRAEL'S COMMISSION DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS" - AA headline]OSLO (A.A) - 15/06/2010 - Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the commission established by Israel to investigate the attack on the six-ship flotilla carrying aid to Gaza met neither Turkey's nor international community's expectations.Burak Ozugergin, spokesman for the Ministry who is currently in Norway with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, told reporters, "this commission met neither Turkey's nor international community's expectations. One of persons who will join the commission as an international observer is already the chairman of Israel's Friends Group established to protect Israel's image and rights in Europe.""And the judge who is claimed to lead the commission is a person who has defended from the very beginning that there is no need for an investigation. All those contradict the UN proposal about establishment of an international, independent and impartial commission. Our expectation is creation of such a commission," he added.

14. Turkish president favours diplomacy to resolve North Korea nuclear issue Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Tuesday that the North Korean nuclear crisis, just like the Iranian nuclear issue, should be resolved through diplomacy despite military tensions on the Korean Peninsula that have deepened since the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship in March.

Gul, however, said Ankara, a tentative member of the UN Security Council, will not vote against Seoul's campaign to punish Pyongyang at the world body, adding it is different from the US-led sanctions resolution against Iran."We're prepared to listen to South Korean opinions at the UN Security Council, so that we can always cooperate with South Korea. Since we are allies, I expect us to be on the same page there too," Gul said in an exclusive interview in Seoul with Yonhap News Agency. He arrived in Seoul on Monday for a three-day trip for a summit with President Lee Myung-bak [Ri Myo'ng-pak].South Korea is trying to persuade the 15 members of the Council to issue a unified condemnation or a fresh resolution against the North for its torpedo attack on the 1,200-ton naval ship, the Ch'o'nan [Cheonan], that killed 46 sailors. The North, claiming innocence, is staging its own diplomatic campaign to block the South's move.South Korean officials are taking a firm position that the Ch'o'nan [Cheonan] issue should be resolved before seeking to resume the long-stalled six-way talks on the North's nuclear weapons drive.The Turkish leader made clear that his country objects to any fresh attempt to produce nuclear weapons."And this particular issue should be solved not through conflicts or war, but through diplomacy and discussions," he said.Gul said that is why Turkey voted against the Western-led sanctions resolution against Iran, dismissing media reports of a possible rift between Ankara and Washington."Turkey doesn't have problems with the United States or other countries," he said.In his talks with the South Korean president earlier in the day, Gul said, the two sides agreed to step up partnership on bilateral and global issues, including a proposed bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and closer cooperation in the Group of 20 summit talks."We're trying to reach a free trade agreement by the end of 2010. As you know, Turkey is a member of the European Union's customs union, and we should be part of all FTA negotiations involving the EU," he said.South Korea and the EU struck a provisional FTA last year and they plan to sign a formal deal within this year.The Turkish president also said the two sides should address the large trade imbalance in disfavour of Ankara. South Korea's exports to Turkey totalled US$2.6 billion last year, largely automobiles and wireless telecommunication devices, while imports amounted to $430 million, mainly petroleum and clothing, according to government data.He also expressed optimism over the prospect for nuclear energy cooperation between the two nations.After the summit between their presidents, the two sides signed a government-level memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation for the building of at least two nuclear power plants in Turkey's northern region of Sinop. The deal, if pushed through, would make Turkey the second importer of South Korea's nuclear reactors after the United Arab Emirates."I believe (bilateral nuclear cooperation) will be a success," he said.On cooperation in the G-20, which includes both South Korea and Turkey, Gul said the two nations are expected to work together especially in helping developing nations.South Korea and Turkey forged diplomatic ties in 1957 but their alliance dates back to the 1950-53 Korean War.

Turkey dispatched 15,000 troops to help South Korea fight against the invading North. Around 750 Turkish soldiers lost their lives in the war. South Korea and Turkey are widely dubbed "brother countries," mainly due to Turkey's role in the war and close relations between their ancient kingdoms.Source: Yonhap news agency, Seoul, in English 1146 gmt 15 Jun 10

15. Turkey says has "effective role" in Kyrgyzstan talks

http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=59990

Davutoglu also dismissed criticisms that Turkish government shifted the country's foreign policy direction to the East.

Tuesday, 15 June 2010 15:51

The Turkish foreign minister denied on Tuesday allegations that Turkish foreign policy was not interested in Central Asia. 

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the views that Turkish foreign policy was not so interested in developments in Central Asia were baseless. 

"Turkey was one of the first countries that assumed an attitude very actively after incidents broke out in Kyrgyzstan," Davutoglu told reporters in Oslo, Norway. 

Davutoglu is paying a formal visit to Norway upon an invitation by his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store.

Minister Davutoglu said Turkey had an effective role in talks between the parties. 

"However, Turkey should be very careful in clashes among groups, one of which is our kinsman and brother," he said. 

Davutoglu said Turkey set up a crisis desk immediately after clashes erupted, and brought Turkish citizens to Turkey safely from Kyrgyzstan. 

Turkey had urged the international community to take action, Davutoglu said. 

Davutoglu said Turkey was still interested in developments in Central Asia, and Asia and Europe were indispensable in Turkey's foreign policy. 

"The Central Asia is the principal element in Turkey's policy," he also said.

"Multi-dimensional foreign policy"

Davutoglu also dismissed criticisms that Turkish government shifted the country's foreign policy direction to the East. 

"This kind of discussion are always deliberately launched whenever Turkey moves to assume an active role in its wider region and expands its power of influence. We consider these criticisms as conjunctural attempts devoid of good will and objectivity," Davutoglu told reporters in Oslo, Norway. 

Davutoglu said the Turkish government would continue to pursue "a multi-dimensional foreign policy" in line with the country's geographical position and its historical ties, however added that membership in the European Union and NATO remained to top the priorities of the Turkish foreign policy. 

"It is odd to see that no one talks about such a shift when Turkey signs extensive agreements with Greece, or conducting indirect talks between Israel and Syria, or engaging Iraqi Sunnis to get them involved in the political process," Davutoglu said. 

Riots killed at least 170 people in Kyrgyz provinces of Osh and Jalalabad since violence erupted in this country last Thursday night. 

16. Turkey's EU negotiator confident about EU membership "sooner or later" Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Izmir, 15 June 2010: Turkey's European Union (EU) chief negotiator said on Tuesday [15 June] that Turkey would complete its EU journey with membership.State Minister and EU chief negotiator Egemen Bagis said nobody should have doubts that Turkey would complete its EU journey with membership."There is not any country that launched negotiations with the EU, but failed to complete them," Bagis said during a meeting on EU accession negotiations in the Aegean province of Izmir.Bagis said what was difficult was to put Turkey on the EU track, and Turkey was making a great deal of its trade to EU member states and was participating in all European institutions except the EU."One day, the conjuncture will make Turkey's membership inevitable and our duty is to prepare Turkey for that appointment," he said.Bagis said Turkey would become a respected and honourable member of the EU sooner or later.Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership since the Helsinki European Council of December 1999. Accession negotiations started in October 2005 with the analytical examination of the EU legislation.Also speaking about Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Bagis said what Israel did was piracy."What we expect from Israel is an apology, compensation of losses and end of embargo on Gaza," Bagis also said.Nine people, including eight Turkish and one US citizen of Turkish descent, died when Israeli forces raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on 31 May.Around 30 people were wounded in the attack.

17. Turkey's budget deficit cut by over 50 per cent Jan-May 2010 Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia

Ankara, 15 June 2010: Turkey's budget deficit dropped 51.7 per cent in January-May period of 2010.Finance Ministry stated on Tuesday [15 June] that the budget expenses decreased 2.1 per cent to 19.054bn Turkish lira (TL) in May 2010 when compared to May 2009. Also, budget income increased 31.9 per cent to 24.8bn TL.Budget deficit was 610,000,000 TL in May 2009, and budget surplus is 5.8bn TL in May, 2010.Tax income increased 28 per cent in May, 2010 when compared to May, 2009.Primary surplus rose 82.1 per cent to 7.9 billion TL in May, 2010.Interest expenses, which were 4.9 billion TL in May, 2009, dropped 56.6 per cent to 2.1 billion TL in May, 2010.Health expenses from central administration budget were 516m TL in May 2009, and it dropped 14.3 per cent to 442,000,000 TL in May 2010.Budget expenses increased 5.3 per cent to 112.6bn TL in Jan-May period of 2010.In Jan-May period of 2010, 24.2bn TL of interest was paid from budget. It dropped 7.3 per cent when compared to the same period of 2009.First five months' income in budget increased 19 per cent to 102.6bn TL in 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009.Tax income rose 25 per cent to 82.7bn TL in the first five months of 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009. (1 USD = 1.58 TL)

18. Regional workshop against drug trafficking starts in Turkey

http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=59985 Regional workshop against drug trafficking has begun in Istanbul with the participation of ministers and experts from Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan.The "First Regional Workshop on Fight against Illicit Drug Trafficking" has begun in Istanbul with the participation of ministers and experts from Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan.

Making opening remarks of the workshop, Ahmet Pek from the Turkish Security Department said that fight against synthetic drugs required a very serious cooperation among regional countries.

"Traffickers use a route from the west to the east via Turkey to send synthetic drugs. We have to cooperate for a successful fight against drug trafficking. The workshop aims at creating a network to share our experiences. We also have to share scientific and technological developments. Thousands of law enforcement officers from 63 countries have received training at the Turkish International Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crimes since 2000," he added.

The workshop will end on June 17.

19. Drivers stopped at guerrillas road blockhttp://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=340

JUNE 15 2010

Blocking the Erzincan state highway, a group of Kurdish last night guerrillas made identification control. It was stated that guerrillas had conversations with the owners of the vehicles they stopped. 

Dersim-Erzincan way on Pülümür line was blocked by guerrillas at evening hours. 

After the one hour control, Turkish soldiers blocked the way and questioned the drivers. On the other side, an operation by Turkish army in the region was also reported.