Erdogan visits Hakkari

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday went to eastern province of Hakkari to attend a series of openings. Speaking at Harran University 2008-2009 academic year opening ceremony, Erdogan said that universities are the basic elements for democracy, and that 53 new universities had been founded so far during his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. Stating that the university, as known the first one in the history had been established in Harran, he said that these soils have been accepted a bridge between civilizations, and also a cradle of science and universal values. "That's why, we have to be high position in science," he added. Touching on recent global crisis in the economy, he said that the most powerful companies and banks have bankrupted. Erdogan stated that Turkey can transform the crisis into an advantage, saying, "Turkey stands at the 17th rank in the world and 6th rank in Europe the basis of Purchase Power Parities (PPP), GDP (gross domestic product)." Pointing to the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP), he thanked those who started the GAP initiative, Erdogan added that bringing to an end is important as starting. Erdogan also attended a hospital inaugurating ceremony, and an iftar dinner at his party's provincial branch.