Fischer visits Kayseri

Austrian President Heinz Fischer, currently in Turkey, yesterday met with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Baykal said he discussed with Fischer the closure case against the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Turkey's EU membership bid. After completing his talks in Ankara, Fischer and his wife yesterday proceeded to Kayseri, hometown of President Abdullah Gul. Fischer, accompanied by Gul, toured the Kultepe Kanis/Karum excavation site, which was used as a rest stop by Assyrian merchants some 4,000 years ago, and Hunat Mosque. Afterwards, Gul and Fischer presided over a business council meeting in Kayseri that brought together Austrian and Turkish businessmen. In related news, Gul is set to host prominent artist from music world at the Cankaya Palace, the latest in a series of invitations to distinguished figures since he took office.