“I think it should be absolutely applauded that Turkey has undertaken these bold steps,” said the top British diplomat in Turkey, referring to the diplomatic process of normalization between Turkey and Armenia.”I think it should be absolutely applauded that Turkey has undertaken these bold steps,” said the top British diplomat in Turkey, referring to the diplomatic process of normalization between Turkey and Armenia.
In an interview with Today?s Zaman, British Ambassador Nick Baird described a visit made by Turkish President Abdullah GЭl to Armenia last September as “very courageous.’ The trip set off a series of diplomatic initiatives to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia, beginning with the possibility of opening their border, which was closed in 1993. Baird acknowledged that the issues in the Caucasus are complex but offered his government?s help to facilitate a thaw between neighboring countries. ?We are hugely keen to help solve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, and we are very supportive of the Minsk process,’ he said. The Minsk Group was created in 1992 under the umbrella of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with the intention of finding a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. The Minsk Group is co-chaired by Russia, the United States and France. Recalling that the United Kingdom had offered to open British archives to help settle a dispute over tragic events that happened in 1915, Ambassador Baird said Turkey?s suggestion of establishing a joint history commission to investigate genocide allegations is ?a good one and we absolutely support it.’ He revealed, however, that the UK was never asked to participate in such a commission or provide a historian. ?If we are asked to do so, we would be happy to consider it,” he said.
Asked if he is concerned about Russia being a disruptive influence on regional peace, Baird said, “I very much hope that Russia will play a constructive role in the Caucasus.’ ?They [Russians] have a great interest in political stability in the region,’ he emphasized, indicating that some positive signs have already emerged on the Russian side in solving the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Baird believes the current economic crisis has resulted in one positive development, albeit unintentionally. ?It reminded us how we are so interconnected with each other,’ he said. ?The energy-rich countries like Russia all want stability in client states so that they can pay their bills without a delay,’ the British ambassador noted. On the Nabucco project, a pipeline that will carry Caspian oil to Europe through Turkey, Baird said, ?We are making progress and having successful negotiations despite some political difficulties with Moscow.”
Close cooperation on terrorism
The UK?s top representative in Ankara described the level of cooperation with Turkey on terrorism as “very strong.’ After a visit from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith on Jan. 5-7, cross-agency involvement in combating terrorism has picked up speed, according to Baird. The UK considers the outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) – an armed Kurdish group waging a separatist battle in the Southeast – a terrorist organization. ?This classification gives us certain powers in terms of the seizure of its financial assets and the cutting of its activities,’ Baird explained. He further remarked, ?There is a noticeable increase in the number of terrorist arrests in the UK, and the Turkish government recognizes the increased commitment by British authorities.” On the European front, Baird hinted that his government was trying to cooperate in developing an action plan against the PKK?s terrorist activities throughout Europe.
Commenting on the Kurdish problem, the ambassador urged a broader and more comprehensive action plan, saying, “Complex problems need complex responses.’ He said Turkey needs to address security measures, economic development, assistance programs, protecting cultural rights and having good relations with the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq as a single package. Acknowledging the progress the Turkish government has made so far, Baird said, ?We see genuine improvements in Turkey.’ Discussing Iraq, the ambassador praised Turkey?s foreign policy and its focus on fostering political stability in the war-torn country. He acknowledged the importance of Turkey?s encouragement for the Sunni minority to remain engaged in the political system. ?The surprise visit of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr to Turkey earlier this month did not go unnoticed,’ he added. The visit showed Turkey?s leverage on the Shiite population in Iraq as well. Relations with Iraq also carry huge economic importance for Turkey as the trade volume between the two countries has grown to $5 billon annually. ?Turkey is indisputably the most important neighbor of Iraq,’ Baird stressed, adding that the UK supports the transit of significant amounts of Iraqi gas through Turkey. Turkey is very much involved in the economic development of Iraq, especially in the northern part where most Kurds live. ?We are trying to enhance economic cooperation, especially in the Basra area in the south that was controlled by British forces,’ Ambassador Baird said. Turkey already maintains a consulate in Basra to keep an eye on economic opportunities. The British ambassador explained how crucial it is for NATO to have Turkey?s involvement in Afghanistan. ?The terrain in Afghanistan is very similar to one you have in Turkey and your gendarmerie is very experienced in handling security in tough geography,’ he said, ?so the training of Afghanis by the Turkish military is very important for stability in Afghanistan.’ Turkey is also providing aid and development assistance to Kabul and has contributed substantially in the reconstruction of the country by building schools and hospitals in and around Kabul. ?I?m trying to get more involvement from the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency [TİKA],’ Baird said. TİKA is a Turkish government agency charged with delivering aid and development assistance throughout the world. With news coming out of Pakistan of violent clashes between the military and the Taliban, Ambassador Baird seemed very concerned about the stability of the country, describing the situation as ?very troublesome.’ ?What we ought to do is to provide economic help, support the army and restore political stability,” he said. Turkey?s role in assisting Pakistani government
Stressing that Turkey plays an important role in assisting the Pakistani government, he said the Pakistani army must control the situation on the ground. “We have a substantial number of British citizens with Pakistani origin, and they are worried about their families and relatives back in Pakistan,’ he underlined. The ambassador reiterated his country?s support for Turkey?s full membership in the European Union, but cautioned that the Cyprus issue posed a major challenge along the way. He conceded that resolution of the Cyprus issue is a very painstaking process but sounded hopeful as the process is again under way after a period of no talks. He urged leaving the past where it is supposed to be and moving on. Baird said that if the Cyprus issue were resolved, there would be huge infusion of EU aid to Turkish Cypriots, amounting 250 million euros. ?Considering the northern Turkish part is very small, the aid would be one of the largest per capita assistances within the EU,’ he claimed. Ambassador Baird also provided an update on the previously announced British University that is to be launched in Turkey shortly. Though he conceded that the process is slow and has been hindered at times, Baird said, ?We find the Turkish side to be flexible, and the work is in progress.” The bulk of the problem seems to have been caused by differences between the university systems in the two countries.
LONDON – A new magazine that aims to better acquaint Europe with Turkey was introduced Monday at the House of Commons in London. The magazine is run by a group of British citizens who support Turkey’s accession into the European Union.
Speaking at the introductory reception, the editor in chief of “Turkey in Europe,” Osman Streater, said more and more people in Europe were finally understanding Turkey’s significance. Another speaker, Edward Davey, shadow foreign secretary and a Liberal Democrat Parliament member, said he hoped the magazine would reach its goal of helping Turkey gain full membership in the EU.
According to Davey, the launch of the magazine was a key step in Turkey’s membership campaign. He added that Turkey was important for Europe in terms of economic, political and strategic reasons, and that its membership would send a clear message with historical significance that the EU is open to all religions.
The magazine’s first issue contains articles in support of Turkey’s EU membership by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Shadow Secretary of State for Defense Liam Fox of the Conservative Party and Minister for Europe at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Caroline Flint.
Turkish Ambassador to London Yiğit Alpogan, Turkish Consul General in London Bahadır Kaleli, former British Ambassador to Ankara David Logan attended the gathering.
Source: www.hurriyet.com.tr, May 16, 2009
Turkey in Europe magazine launched
by Fatih Cansiz
"Turkey In Europe"
A NEW magazine aimed at promoting Turkey’s application to the EU was launched on Monday at a reception at the Houses of Parliament.
It was launched on behalf of the patrons of Turkey in Europe who are Michael Gove MP, Dr Denis MacShane MP and Graham Watson MEP.
Editor Osman Streater spoke about the first issue of the magazine which was established to bring international business together and to promote Turkish membership of the European Union. He added that Turkey in Europe magazine is independent of the Turkish and UK governments and funded by its members, allowing it to be an independent business-focused voice in support of Turkish membership.
Turkish Ambassador Mr Yigit Alpogan and Liberal Democrat MP Edward Davey were special guests at the event.
Mr Davey spoke briefly about relations between Turkey and the European Union.
The magazine includes messages from politicians and will be published as a quarterly magazine to promote Turkey to key stakeholders in the EU, organise events in the UK, Brussels and Turkey, to promote Turkey’s EU membership and lobby for Turkish membership more generally.
EXETER Airport was the venue for the launch of the University of Exeter’s Foreign Language Centre ‘Holiday Turkish’ course.
Passengers at the airport were given a free taster of key expressions and phrases to help prepare them for their holiday.
Turkish tutor Anil Lee, who originally hails from Istanbul and has been living in Exeter for more than 20 years, was delighted by the positive reaction she got from passengers.
She said: “I’ve never known so much interest in Turkey as a holiday destination and more and more people are taking up language courses in Turkish to help make their holiday that extra bit special.”
The Foreign Language Centre is offering both ‘Holiday Turkish’ and ‘Holiday Spanish courses; aimed at those holidaying abroad and those who want to brush up on essential language skills.
Classes will be very practical and fun, with the focus on everyday and holiday situations, such as travel, food and eating, shopping and getting around. Courses last 16 hours in total, over eight evenings in June.
Jamie Christon, Exeter Airport’s Managing Director, said: “The launch of the course ties in with the start of our summer flights to Bodrum and Dalaman which have doubled and, with the pound going further than some of the more traditional Euro-destinations and almost guaranteed sunshine, there’s never been a better time to head off to Turkey.”
Turkey is now firmly placed in the top 10 of world travel destinations, welcoming more than 23 million visitors every year.
With a range of spectacular resorts to choose from, Turkey offers a blend of relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, historical architecture and a vast array of fantastic beaches.
The British National Party has launched its campaign for next month’s European Parliament elections, predicting it could win up to seven seats.
The party is contesting all 69 seats at stake in the UK mainland regions, on a platform of demanding the country withdraws from the European Union.
Leader Nick Griffin, a candidate in North West England, said the BNP also wanted to stop Turkey joining the EU.
His party was a threat to “tired, corrupt old politicians”, he added.
The BNP, which currently has no Euro MPs, is contesting about 465 county council seats in England’s local elections, which also take place on 4 June.
This is up from 39 candidates four years ago.
At the BNP’s campaign launch in Essex, Mr Griffin said: “There’s no protest vote like a British National Party protest vote, because all the others are in it together.
“Everyone knows we are the ones that they hate… We are the ones who are really a threat to their rotten, internationalist, liberal system.
“So we are the ones people have got to vote for if they want to protest against what the old politicians – the tired, corrupt old politicians – have done to this poor country of ours.”
Outlining his party’s anti-immigration stance, Mr Griffin said: “Not all immigrants are terrorists but all terrorists are immigrants or their immediate descendants.”
On its opposition to Turkey joining the EU, he said: “While we are in the European Union we most definitely, and above all else, oppose its expansion to bring 80 million low-wage Muslims into Christian democratic Europe.”
Drugs overdose suspected in death of Alexander Mosley, whose father is formula one boss
The eldest son of formula one boss Max Mosley has been found dead in his west London home.
Alexander Mosley, a 39-year-old economist, is reported to have died after a suspected drugs overdose. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Police were called to Mosley’s Notting Hill flat an hour after he was seen returning home with another man.
Neighbour Steve Abrams, 70, a retired psychologist, told the London Paper: “I saw two men go into the flat and about an hour later there were rows of police outside and an ambulance.”
Paramedics could not revive Mosley and he was declared dead at the scene.
A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said: “We were called at 4.20pm on Tuesday to reports of a man found dead at a property in W11. We believe we know the identity of the deceased. Next of kin are being informed and a postmortem will take place in due course.”
The former formula one team boss Eddie Jordan said he was “devastated” by the news.
“Max and Alexander particularly were very close,” he told Sky News. He said the father and son shared “a great intellect” and he described Alexander as a “hugely clever and talented computer expert”.
“It’s totally tragic, he was such a bright boy. I’m devastated for them.”
In a statement, the motor racing’s governing body, the FIA, said: “The FIA extends sincere condolences to the Mosley family on the sad news of the death of Alexander Mosley.
“Our thoughts are with Alexander’s family and friends, and we would request that the media respect the Mosley family’s privacy at this difficult time.”
Max Mosley, 69, is president of the FIA and the son of the 1930s British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley.
Last year he won a high-profile privacy action against the News of the World over a story the paper ran about his encounter with five prostitutes.
He married Joan Taylor in 1960. The couple had two sons, Alexander and Patrick, who was born in 1972.
Europe at its best stands for democracy, human rights, tolerance and prosperity. Europe at its worse can mean division and exclusion. Turkey – and by extension the Turkish community in the UK will benefit from a positive Europe.
We are delighted to to tell you about an event coming up at the Cemevi on Ridley Rd that will study this topic.
On May 19th at 7pm, Nick Clegg MP, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, will be hosting an open meeting at the centre, in association with the Liberal Democrat Friends of Turkey and Hackney Liberal Democrats. Also speaking will be Baroness Ludford, our local LibDem MEP and Jonather Fryer, our MEP candidate. The theme of the evening will be “Turkey and Our Future in Europe”.
We do hope you will be able to join us – you’ll be pleased to know it is free. Although you are welcome to just turn up, you can guarantee your seat by visiting our website at
Cemevi is easy to get to; Take the Underground to Highbury & Islington or Stratford, and then get the Overground to Dalston. There are also lots of buses that go to Dalston via Liverpool Street, Old Street and Angel. The event itself starts at 7pm, but we recommend you arrive early to get a good seat.
This is sure to be an exciting evening for everybody, and is a great opportunity to enjoy a lively debate.
We look forward to seeing you there!
LDFoT – Liberal Democrat Friends of Turkey
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Sarah Ludford meeting Ibrahim Dogus, Chairman of the Halkevi Kurdish and Turkish Community Centre in Haringey Taken on Tuesday 28th August 2007.
