P.M. ERDOGAN ATTENDS "NEWS XCHANGE" MEETING IN ISTANBUL

Turkish Press
Nov 5 2006

ISTANBUL – "Despite several negative developments, Turkey achieved
important successes thanks to democratic reforms fulfilled in the
country," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during
"News Xchange" meeting in Istanbul which brought together executives
of news TV channels and news agencies as well as correspondents from
all over the world.

Stating that Turkey was located in the center of a large geography
extending from Europe to Asia and from Caucasus to Africa, Erdogan
noted that Turkey was affected by developments that took place in
Caucasus, Balkans, southern and Central Asia.

"Turkey has been exerting great efforts for peace and stability in
the region and the world," he underlined.

Erdogan noted, "AKP (Justice & Development Party) government fulfilled
significant reforms during the last four years. We also achieved
important successes in Turkish economy and foreign policy.

Turkey has become one of the biggest 20 economies of the world."

"There has been a sound and dynamic structure in Turkish economy.

Direct foreign investments in the country amounted to 9.7 billion
USD at the end of 2005," he stressed.

Noting that Turkey has met necessary criterion to start full membership
talks with the EU, Erdogan stated, "Turkey showed that it has quality
and capacity to join the EU."

Erdogan said, "one third of the constitution has been amended,
adjustment packages have been approved and several legal and
administrative arrangements have been made in regard to Turkey`s
EU process."

Replying to a question of a correspondent from Yorki Media operating in
Armenia, Erdogan said that the incidents in 1915 were a displacement.

"We have opened our archives. Armenian President (Robert Kocharian)
should also open Armenia`s archives. Jurists and historians should work
on the matter and then politicians make a decision on it," he stated.

Stating that when AKP came to the political power in the country,
the government started air transportation between Turkey and Yerevan,
Erdogan said that they also restored Armenian Orthodox Church on
Akdamar Island in Van Lake.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress