ANKARA (A.A) - Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, terrorist PKKorganization and many other issues were at the top of the 2-day schedule ofChairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs Adm. Michael Mullen in Ankara.Diplomatic sources said common topics at the agenda of the two countrieswere discussed during Admiral Mullen's meetings with Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan, National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and Chief of General StaffGen. Isik Kosaner.The sources said the parties discussed in details Pakistan and Afghanistan,and reviewed works to form new government in Iraq. They said the partiesdiscussed activities of the terrorist PKK organization, which is an enemy of thetwo countries.The sources said visit of Admiral Mullen aimed at meeting with Gen. Kosanerand did not have a specific agenda.(AY)

ANKARA (A.A) - Honey bee scientists from around the worldgathered in the Turkish capital of Ankara to participate in an internationalconference investigating honey bee colony demise.Over 80 scientists from the European Union as well as the United States,Chile, China, South Africa, Argentine Iran and Thailand were set to present theirfindings in the Sixth Conference of the COLOSS-Prevention of Honey Bee ColonyLosses.The conference also aims to create awareness over the dangers of honey beedemise, climate change and the destruction of the natural habitat.(İMB-AY)

STOCKHOLM (A.A) - Mevlut Cavusoglu, a Turkish lawmaker andpresident of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said onSaturday that European Union (EU) needed Turkey as much as Turkey needed the EU.Cavusoglu addressed a conference"Role of Turkey in the European Union"inGothenbourg, where he came after concluding his talks in Stockholm.Commenting on the constitutional package that would be put to vote onSeptember 12 in Turkey, Cavusoglu said,"Turkey should get rid of the shames andrule of law should prevail in the country. In case the constitutional packagegets necessary vote on September 12, Turkey will approach the EU standards andproceed on its way. We attach importance to this constitutional package."Cavusoglu said,"Turkey has good relations with Europe in the West and withits own neighbors in the East. It also has good relations with the Islamic world.Turkey is eager to boost relations with surrounding countries. We want Armenia towithdraw from Azerbaijani territories it has occupied. Our relations with Armeniawill get normalized in case this condition is met."He said,"Turkey will continue to pursue a balanced foreign policy,indicating that it was Turkey's assignment to assist Turkish Republics."-NO AXIS SHIFT-Cavusoglu also rejected"a shift of axis"in Turkey's foreign policydirection, noting,"Turkey pursues a multidimensional foreign policy as arequirement of its historical and cultural responsibilities. Turkey's bid tobecome an EU member has not changed. It still constitutes the most importantstrategic target of Turkey's policy."Cavusoglu said Turkey assumed important missions in internationalorganizations like the PACE, United Nations, OSCE and NATO,"this is an evidencethat there is not a shift of axis in Turkish foreign policy,"he added.(AY)

ROME (A.A) - A Italian lawmaker with the country's mainopposition Democratic Party has voiced support for Turkey's European Unionmembership bid, saying that the Union needed the Turkish accession."As the EU, we need Turkey, which is a key country for it stands at thecrossroads of energy routes,"Francesco Tempestini told a meeting in Rome onSaturday.Tempestini criticized skepticism of certain countries on Turkey's fullmembership in the EU."It is true that Turkey has some problems as far as the Copenhagen Criteriaare concerned. But these problems may well be overcome after Turkey becomes an EUmember,"Tempestini said.(İMB-AY)

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Torch of the Special Olympics started to becarried in Istanbul within the scope of European tour prior to 2010 SpecialOlympics European Summer Games which will take place in Warsaw in September17-24.The first leg of the run started in front of Galatasaray High School at theIstiklal Avenue and ended in Taksim Square (European side).Speaking before the start of the run, Dilek Sabanci said,"this is a verygood organization. This run helps our children cling to life. I hope Turkishchildren will win medals. Support us."The second leg will take place in Suadiye district at 3.00 p.m. on September5 and end in Saskinbakkal concert area. (Asian side).18 people will carry the torch within the scope of Europe tour.The torch will tour Europe in 17 days with the help of 120 runners and reachPoland.Delegations from 58 countries in Europe/Eurasia will gather in Warsaw,Poland for the 2010 Special Olympics European Summer Games taking place fromSeptember 18 -24.More than 1,600 Special Olympics athletes and 600 coaches are expected toattend. The event will also include a host town program, a policy forum, familyforum, youth summit, a torch run through Europe/Eurasia and much more.The European Games offer a stage to showcase the Special Olympics movementin Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia and to celebrate the abilitiesand accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities.A Torch Run will take place ahead of the Games carrying the flame of hopeacross Turkey, Greece, Slovenia, Gibraltar, Luxembourg, France, Great Britain,Belgium and Poland before arriving in Warsaw. The run gives communities acrossEurope the opportunity to support athletes with intellectual disabilities.(AY)

CANAKKALE (A.A) - A Russian-flagged cargo ship ran aground atthe entrance of Canakkale Strait on Saturday.The"Volgodon 238"cargo ship was carrying cast aluminum from the southernprovince of Antalya to Russia's Azov Port.Executives of Vessel Traffic Services said the ship has not asked for help.(AY)