While preparing this edition of
DIPLOMAT, we were all upset by the news of the southern
Asia earthquake disaster, which has caused so much loss
of life and physical damage in Pakistan, Afghanistan and
India. The DIPLOMAT team share in the suffering of those
affected by the disaster. It goes without saying that
the region is now in need of assistance. Our readers may
wish to make a contribution using the bank account
numbers on page 15.
For Turkey, the most important event in October has been
the commencement of accession talks with the European
Union. A long and difficult negotiation process now lies
ahead. Interviewed in these pages, Spanish Ambassador
Luis Felipe FERNANDEZ de ia PENA explains the stance of
his country in detail. The Ambassador also speaks of the
EU's relations with the Balkan countries and of the
importance of cooperation with the countries of the
Mediterranean basin.
Our other guest in this October edition of DIPLOMAT is
Ambassador Ernesto Gomez ABASCAL of Cuba. Were you aware
that the first contacts between the Cuban and Turkish
peoples may go back as far as the sixteenth century? The
Ambassador begins his article on relations between
Turkey and Cuba with traces of historical and
ethnographic evidence which suggests that this may be
the case.
Latin America is also represented in these pages by
Mexico, which is the subject of a colourful travel
feature. We also travel to Troy - a site in Turkey which
is included on the World Heritage List and which
certainly merits a visit. Closer to Ankara, we visit the
typical Anatolian town of Kasatarnonu. Kastamonu can be
visited quite easily even in the winter months. Indeed,
the winter could be the ideal time for a visit, because
the route takes you via Mount Ilgaz, where there is also
a ski centre.
