(GEN) PRESIDENT GUL APPROVES MILITARY COURT LAW.

ANKARA, Jul 9, 2009 (TUR) -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul approved Wednesday a law that allows trial of military personnel in civilian courts in peacetime rather than military courts.

However, Gul asked government to make new amendments to allay concerns regarding discipline and legal assurances during military service.

"Mr. President has stated that it would be appropriate to make necessary amendments urgently," Gul's office said in a statement.

Turkish Parliament passed the legislation late June.

(DIP) FOREIGN MINISTERS OF TURKEY-GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL ISSUE JOINT DECLARATION

ISTANBUL, Jul 9, 2009 (TUR) -- In a joint declaration issued at the end of "the First Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Turkey-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) High Level Dialogue", the participants on Wednesday expressed concerns regarding the loss of civilian lives and property in the incidents taking place in Urumchi.

The declaration said that the sides agreed to promote cooperation in transportation, infrastructure, investments, food security, tourism and other fields by implementing the Turkey-Gulf Cooperation Council Cooperation Framework Agreement.

The two sides agreed to facilitate consultations among public institutions on matters such as oil, natural gas and renewable energy, the declaration said.

The declaration stressed that the two sides will give high importance to the construction of a railway between Turkey and the GCC region and that this issue will be handled in future meetings as well.

The declaration said that the sides will develop mutual cooperation in the fields of economy, energy and defense industry.

All sides agreed to condemn any form of terrorism and made commitment to fight against terrorism, the declaration said.

In regard to Iran's nuclear problem, the declaration said that nations do have the right to possess nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and that this issue should be resolved by peaceful means.

The declaration noted that the two sides support Turkey's EU membership, a membership that would develop inter-cultural dialogue and have positive impact on the whole region.

The declaration pointed out that the situation in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region was discussed and the sides expressed concern over the deaths of civilians and loss of property in Urumchi.

All precautions should be taken in Urumchi to protect civilian lives, the declaration said.

The issue of piracy in seas was also mentioned in the declaration. All countries expressed appreciation over Turkey's leading role in the Combined Task Force (CTF 151).

The declaration stated that the issue of Cyprus should be resolved within United Nations boundaries.

The UN Security Council, Madrid Principles, road map and Arabic Peace Initiative should be viewed as guide in the Israeli-Palestinian problem, the declaration said.

The sides expressed in the declaration that they agreed on a Palestine built as a sovereign and independent state and whose capital would be Eastern Jerusalem.

(SOL-E)

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)