World press on Turkey's EU bid and political situation in Russia (October 25-26, 2012)

In its October edition the Russian version of Esquire magazine published an interview with former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. Speaking to Esquire, Gorbachev said that one should not underestimate the importance of the changes Russian society is going through. "Today's protest activity is a very serious thing. It's not just a fuss, it's a protest based on fundamental values and desires of people," the former president said.

Gorbachev also said that top Russian officials should understand how important it is to allow the country to evolve and develop. "I would like the president (Putin) to understand that sometimes it's necessary to resign, to let others take your place. This takes a lot of courage, of course," Gorbachev said.

On October 26th, Hurriyet published an article by Semih Idiz devoted to Turkey's attempt to join the European Union. "With the minister responsible for the brief dismissing this year’s “Progress Report on Turkey” out of hand, and a key member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) symbolically throwing the report into the rubbish bin, Ankara’s EU perspective is clearly in a state of stasis," the article reads.

"The government nevertheless needs to maintain the appearance of commitment to this perspective for a number of pragmatic reasons, not least of which concern economic factors. But unless the whole process is re-energized, it will continue to weaken, finally reaching a point where it cannot be sustained anymore," the author says.

"Whatever the state of Turkish-EU ties, and of developments in Europe, it is nevertheless also becoming increasingly apparent – for a host of objective political, economic and strategic reasons – that Turkey’s importance for Europe is growing, while Turkey’s dependence on Europe continues," the article reads.

"As always, Turkey’s future relations with Europe will be determined behind closed doors and based on “raison d’état,” and not by right-wing politicians playing on public fears. What Derviş is saying should not, therefore, be underestimated," the author concludes.