Erdogan, Merkel to open world's biggest information technology fair in Hanover

Along with his German counterpart Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to open CeBIT, the world's largest information technology, late this month in Hanover. Nearly 100 Turkish firms will take part in the event, offering the opportunity to hold business contacts with many giant information technology firms from across the world. Companies from 68 countries, including Turkey, will showcase recent developments projected to shape the future of information technology around the world. Erdogan's stay in Germany will also include a meeting with Merkel, and an address to Turkish expatriates living there. Last month Erdogan criticized Merkel's claims that Turkey isn't doing enough to solve the Cyprus issue, an issue partly responsible for the impasse in Ankara's accession talks with the European Union. Erdogan called Merkel's remarks unfair and groundless, citing how in 2004 Turkey threw its support behind a UN plan to reunite the divided island, which was rejected by the Greek Cypriot administration. Following his German visit, Erdogan will proceed to Brussels, and meet with European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso to discuss ways to jump-start Turkey's EU accession negotiations.