SKOPJE (A.A) - Turkish Minister of National Education,Omer Dincer, said Wednesday that political relations between Turkey and Macedoniawere excellent.Speaking at a press conference after meeting his Macedonian counterpartPance Kralev, Dincer said that"as Turkey, we support the people and governmentof Macedonia".We had a"very beneficial"meeting with Kralev. While I am not on anofficial program in Macedonia, I paid a visit to Kravel in order to talk aboutpossible opportunities for cooperation, Dincer said.Minister Omer Dincer came to Macedonia to attend a fast-breaking dinner tobe hosted by the Macedonian Turkish Democratic Party on Wednesday.Dincer will proceed to Kosovo from Macedonia.(SOL)

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep TayyipErdogan received Wednesday Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and FinanceShams-ed-Din Hoseini in Istanbul.Erdogan's meeting with Hoseini took place at the Conrad Hotel and lastedaround one hour behind closed doors.(SOL-MS)

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Somali President Sheikh Sharif SheikhAhmed said Wednesday that he wanted to thank the brotherly country of Turkey forbeing with them"on this difficult day".Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation's (OIC)Executive Committee in Istanbul on Somalia, Ahmed said that it was crucial forthem to see Turkey shoulder to shoulder at this difficult period Somalia wasgoing through.Somalia faces diseases and famine. Our brothers and sisters (in Turkey) haveextended a helping hand. They are working so that the tragedy of the Somalipeople ends, Ahmed said."I would like to thank the brotherly country of Turkey on behalf of mypeople and I. It is important for us to see the helping hand of Turkey. I call onall the countries of the world to follow Turkey. We will never forget yourefforts,"Ahmed also said.Somalia is going through its worst drought in the past six decades.(SOL-MS)

HAKKARI (A.A) - Governor of the south-eastern province ofHakkari, Muammer Turker, said Wednesday that 7 Turkish troops and a village guardwere killed and 14 others wounded in a terrorist attack conducted earlier today.Speaking to the AA, Governor Turker said that the casualties came after PKKterrorists detonated four different explosives at the 12th kilometer of theHakkari-Cukurca road.One of those killed was a village guard.The Hakkari-Cukurca road is currently closed to traffic.Security forces in the region are searching for other possible explosives.(SOL-MS)

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep TayyipErdogan said Wednesday that"by gathering together in Istanbul today, we havegiven a meaningful message to the world".Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation's (OIC)Executive Committee in Istanbul on Somalia, Erdogan said that"what we need to donow is to turn this will into a solid contribution to Somalia".We need to continue this togetherness for the bright future of Somalia,Erdogan said.We should conduct our fast breaking meals for Somalia and lit a candle forthem, Erdogan stressed.Today, there is a fire in Somalia that must be extinguished. We need tothink about the post-fire era and help Somalia by providing various services,Erdogan noted.In order for Somalia to go through this great disaster with the leastlosses, Turkey is by Somalia with all of its resources, Erdogan also said.(end)(SOL-MS)

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep TayyipErdogan said seven troops and a village guard were killed and eleven troops werewounded in Wednesday's terrorist attack on security forces in southeast Turkey."First a mine blast and then an RPG attack on armored personnel carriers...That brings up the number to eight including a village guard. And eleven of ourchildren were wounded,"Erdogan told reporters after addressing a meeting of theOrganization of the Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Executive Committee in Istanbulon Somalia famine."As we said before we are at the end of our tether. Our patience in thisholy month of Ramadan has exhausted,"Erdogan said.(Ä°MB-MS)

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep TayyipErdogan said Wednesday that the test in Somalia was one of humanity.Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation's (OIC)Executive Committee in Istanbul on Somalia, Erdogan said that the humancivilization, states, riches and the G-20 were passing through a test on Somalia.I want to make it clear that the Somali children have a share in all of ourfood. It is our task during this holy Ramadan month to help those in need,Erdogan said.Within this framework, the OIC must increase efforts to help Somaliaurgently, Erdogan said.(more)(SOL-MS)

ANKARA (A.A) - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutogludenied Wednesday a news report that Turkey was planning to create a buffer zonealong its border with Syria to prevent an influx of refugees."We are talking about a 900-km border. We cannot talk about such adevelopment right now,"Davutoglu told reporters in a joint press appearance withhis Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh in the Turkish capital, Ankara."Turkish foreign policy has its principles. And they dictate for respect tothe territorial integrity and sovereignty of our neighboring countries,"Davutoglu said."We are like adjacent wooden houses living side by side. And if a firebreaks out in one of the houses, it is impossible for the other to catch ablaze.That is why assuming that developments in Syria would not concern Turkey is justbeing ignorant about the facts of this geography,"Davutoglu said.The Turkish foreign minister said it was only natural for Turkey to devisepolicies to protect its own stability, adding,"and the Syrian people are ourfriends and brothers. We are concerned about their future and we are using anydiplomatic means to that end."Davutoglu also said Turkey had been conducting close consultations with thecountries of the region such as Jordan and Egypt in a bid to devise a jointstance on regional issues, first and foremost on Syria.(Ä°MB-MS)

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep TayyipErdogan said Wednesday that they could not wait for those who have exploitedSomalia and Africa in the past to extend a helping hand to Somalia at a time thatcountry was going through a tragedy.Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation's (OIC)Executive Committee in Istanbul, Erdogan said that voices had to be raised tohelp drought and famine stricken Somalia.Turkey has to act as if there was no other country. Turkeu needs to displaythe solidarity among its citizens to solve the problems of their Somali brothersand sisters, Erdogan stressed.Today, Turks all the way from age 7 to 70 have extended an helping hand toSomalia, Erdogan said.(more)(SOL-MS)

Turkish jets launched air raids on suspected bases belonging to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq on Wednesday, Turkish media reported.