REGIONS: COUNTRIES:
Will Iran Look More Like Turkey, or Turkey Like Iran
Nathan Gardels - Global Viewpoint
The effort to forge new forms of non-Western modernity in the Muslim world has pushed Iran into bloody civil strife while Turkey swirls with persistent rumors of military plots against the Islamist-rooted government. The great historical question is whether, at the end of the day, Iran will look more like Turkey, or Turkey like Iran.
New EU president could buoy Turkey's bid
Two new EU posts could be the key for Turkey's future with the Union.
Third letter from military source raises tensions in Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey -- A third letter sent to civilian prosecutors in charge of the alleged Ergenekon case is ratcheting up tensions. As details of the le...
Turkey says it will consider ICC statute ratification
ANKARA, Turkey -- Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Tuesday (November 17th) that Turkey will consider whether to ratify the statute of the Int...
SETimes news - Turkey
News and Views of Southeastern Europe
Cyprus: Unification on the Table
As Cyprus’s new president brings the nation closer to unification, the EU comes one step closer to Jerusalem.
Malta and Cyprus Adopt Euro
The European Union cements its influence in the Mediterranean.
EU Extorts Turks Before Giving Them the Boot
Cyprus Joins European Defense Alliance
History is playing out in Cyprus once more.
theTrumpet.com: Cyprus
theTrumpet.com -- Understand your world.
Concerns Resurface Over Turkey-Israel Ties
When will Israel realize that Turkey is no friend?
Joint Syria-Turkey Military Exercises Disturb Israel
Israel's Alliance With Turkey Is a Trap
The Gaza war has shown that Turkey is no friend. Will Israel realize it?
To Europeans, Turkey's EU Bid Is Dead
A constitutional crisis will set back Turkey’s petition for EU membership. But does Europe have to be so sanctimonious about it?
Cyprus: Unification on the Table
As Cyprus’s new president brings the nation closer to unification, the EU comes one step closer to Jerusalem.
Turkish Military Penetrates Northern Iraq
Turkey Warns EU Against Becoming "Club of Christians"
The real reason behind the European Union’s reluctance to accept Turkey surfaces in Davos.
Turkish Warplanes, Troops Strike Kurds Inside Iraq
Iraq’s only relatively stable region gets familiar with the sound of machine gun fire and exploding ordnance.
Washington's Kurdish Quandary
America’s geopolitical impotence is being exposed in the rugged hills of northern Iraq.
The Week in Review
A new weekly feature on theTrumpet.com! This week: a prevailing sense of uncertainty.
U.S.-Turkish Relations Take a Hit
Turkey’s imminent invasion of Iraq and an anti-Turkey resolution in a U.S. congressional committee are straining these nations’ alliance.
What to Watch With an Islamic Turkish President
A former Islamist holds the presidency of Turkey. Here are some of the implications.
Why the World Is Taking Note of Turkey
Turkish voters have elected a former Islamist as president. Here’s why many nations are asking: just how significant is this?
Islamic Party Increasingly Popular in Turkey
Democracy continues to promote Islam.
Portugal Faces Hard Battle Over Turkey Membership
The EU’s new president, from Portugal, wants to jump-start entry talks with Turkey, but will face stiff opposition from other EU members.
The Real Reason for the Pope's Visit to Turkey
Media reports largely missed the true significance of Benedict XVI’s trip to this Muslim nation.
EU Meets to Discuss Illegal Immigration
Turkey: Target of Catholic EU Patriotism
Chancellor Favors God Reference in EU Constitution
Bavarian Premier Calls for New Laws Against Blasphemy
The “moralists are alive and kicking” in Germany.
EU to Ask, What Is Europe?
A leading German conservative, supposedly a political has-been, claims to have the answer, and he claims to speak for most Europeans.
Turkish Film Causing Uproar in Germany
As the Muslim world and Europe kick up a fuss about Danish cartoonists’ renditions of Mohammad, another seemingly ridiculous scenario is creating deep Muslim-German rifts and putting one politician on the side of mainstream German sentiment.
Europe Rethinks Energy Options
Thanks to the Russia-Ukraine energy fiasco, Europe now realizes that getting many of its eggs from one basket is not the way to go. But where it may turn for more “stable” energy presents an even more troubling scenario.
theTrumpet.com: Turkey
theTrumpet.com -- Understand your world.
Ankara Tehran to promote economic political ties
Turkeys President Abdullah Gul and Irans President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad discussed regional and bilateral issues and called for expansion of the two countries cooperation and ties. Gul emphasized Iran and Turkey must promote economic and political cooperation. The two leaders met before the 25th session of the COMCEC the Standing Committee...
Turkish entrepreneurs to explore South African markets
A Turkish delegation of more than 100 businessmen led by Foreign Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan recently visited Johannesburg South Africa to attend the Turkish-South African Business Forum.
Speaking to the businessmen prior the event Caglayan said Turkish businessmen avoid expanding into new markets fearing the competitive advantage of their Chinese counterparts...
Turkey increasingly reliant on foreign energy
Turkey is becoming more dependent on foreign sources of energy as the share of the countrys overall energy needs met by domestic resources is dwindling World Energy Council Turkish Member Committee board member Oguz Turkyilmaz was quoted by the press as saying. Turkyilmaz noted that according to 2007 figures domestic...
Maybank CIMB to cooperate with Turkish bank
On the sidelines of the Sixth Annual Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum Malayan Banking in Kuala Lumpur Bhd Maybank is willing to cooperate with its counterpart in Turkey but is not interested to buy any stake group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said. We are open to...
Turkish Foreign Ministers Kurdish visit to improve ties
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu recently arrived in Erbil for talks with Massud Barzani the president of Kurdish northern Iraq the first ever Turkish foreign minister to visit the Region. This visit of the Foreign Minister to Erbil is an important step indeed a historic step. We know that Turkey...
Turkey Indonesia to boost bilateral trade
Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia Aydin Evirgen recently announced that relations between Indonesia and Turkey are improving in all spheres. Turkey and Indonesia are coming closer due to booming trade and growing interaction in political and cultural spheres. The ambassador said that both countries have historic links and share similar views...
Banks criticized for profiting from crisis
Finansbank Assistant General Manager Saruhan Dogan recently announced that Turkish banks need to be more resilient in their approach to extending loans to small and medium-sized companies SMEs in the post-crisis period as the profitability from falling interest rates is no longer attractive news agencies reported. The banks were slammed...
Erdogan Obama plan to meet December 7
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Washington on 7 December to meet with US President Barack Obama the White House announced. The statement said that the two leaders would discuss a broad range of strategic issues of mutual concern including implementing our shared strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan...
Turkey aims to increase trade volume with Sudan
The Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists TUSKON recently organized Turkey-Sudan Investment and Trade Forum in Khartoum which was attended by over 150 Turkish businessmen who seek investment or business in Sudan. TUSKON launched a trade campaign there with 105 Turkish businessmen from 94 companies Zaman reported. At the forum...
Iran calls for expansion of ties with Turkey
Irans First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi met with Turkish ambassador to Iran Salim Kara Osman Oglu on 25 October. During the talks Rahimi called for expansion of all-out relations between Iran and Turkey necessary. Rahimi said that the capacity for expanding bilateral ties is large and the volume of...
More PKK fighters expected to surrender
Turkish officials said on 20 October they expect more rebels from the armed Kurdistan Workers Party PKK to return from their hideouts in Northern Iraq and surrender - 24 hours after the first group did so. Eight fighters from the PKKs bases in the mountains of northern Iraq turned themselves...
EBRD estimates higher growth rate in 2010
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD revised its 2010 growth rate projection for Turkish Economy up to 3% from its previous estimate of 1% taking into consideration the improved conditions of the overall global economy and signs of recovery in the Turkish economy.
However EBRD which revised down the 2009...
IMF gives thumbs up to economic record
During a recent visit to Ashgabat a delegation of international Monetary Fund officials noted that Turkmenistans large cash reserves and a lack of external debt have enabled it to steer clear of the fallout from the global financial crisis Turkmenistan.ru reported.
The macroeconomic outlook for 2009 remains favorable. The external current...
Astrakhan relations to continue expansion
Governor of Astrakhan Region Alexander Zhilkin leading a delegation of government and business structures of the region paid a visit to Ashgabat. During talks with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the Governor expressed Astrakhan Regions interest in purchasing agricultural products from Turkmenistan and products of its processing as well as increasing...
IMF sees fasterthan expected recovery
THE International Monetary Fund IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook that the global economy is recovering faster than expected and estimated a 3.7% growth rate for Turkey in 2010 after the global recession caused the countrys economy to contract 6.5% this year.
IMF predicted that it expected the...
EBRD supports Turkeys agriculture sector
THE European bank for Reconstruction and Development recently announced that it will support the development of private businesses in the agriculture sector in Turkey with a credit line in Turkish lira for micro and small enterprises MSEs .
Micro and small businesses represent a major part of the Turkish economy...
New mandate for military incursions in Iraq
THE Turkish parliament voted overwhelmingly on 6 October to extend for one year the militarys ability to stage cross- border attacks against militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party PKK in Iraq. According to reports 452 of the parliaments 550 members voted in favour of the motion.
The Turkish military...
Nonfinancial sector in crisis
YAPI Kredi General Manager Faik Acikalin recently announced that the non-financial sector suffered more damage compared with the financial sector as necessary adjustments were not made. He evaluated that a wrong diagnosis was made at the onset of the crisis throughout the world but that countries that corrected their diagnosis...
Turkey aims to boost trade with Qatar
THE Istanbul Chamber of Commerce ICOC in association with the Turkish Embassy in Doha organized the first Made in Turkey Exhibition in Qatar on 3-6 October. Turkish Industry and Trade Minister Nihat Ergun was due to lead a large group of delegates that included representatives from 200 of Turkeys major...
Foreigners planning new investments
ACCORDING to a survey conducted by the International Investors Association of Turkey YASED around 40% of international investors were planning new investments in the following six months compared to the previous half year Zaman reported. This signals a slight recovery in foreign investors expectations for future investment opportunities in the...
Mid-term economic program may be adjusted
Turkeys Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan said that some adjustments would be made to the recently announced medium-term economic program if an agreement is reached with the International Monetary Fund IMF news agencies reported. He said that negotiations between Turkey and IMF over a stand-by agreement are under way.
Babacan was...
Erdogan plans more airports for Istanbul
TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans on 28 September to build more airports in Istanbul. At the opening of a transport conference in Istanbul Tayyip said that Turkey would invest 240 billion $350 billion in transport systems and communications over the next 25 years.
A third bridge over...
TUSKON and Russian union sign co-operation deal
THE Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists TUSKON and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs RSPP recently inked a pact in Istanbul to further develop their bilateral co-operation Zaman reported. TUSKON expects to support its members both producers and exporters who engage in business abroad through the new co-operation...
Halkbank increases support for SMEs despite crisis
LOANS for small- and medium-sized enterprises SMEs fell in the first nine months of 2009 due to a controversy between the representatives of the non-financial sector and banks over declining loans since the onslaught of the crisis Zaman reported. The total amount of loans granted to SMEs decreased by 9...
Turkeys trade with Arab world increases
INDEPENDENT Industrialists and Businessmens Association MUSIAD President Omer Cihad Vardan recently stated that Turkeys increasing trade with Arab countries has alleviated the problems stemming from the global financial crisis. He stressed that improved political and economic relations with Arab countries in the past few years has helped Turkey to keep...
Government launches mid-term economic program
Turkeys Economy Minister Ali Babacan recently announced the countrys much-anticipated medium-term economic plan saying that the government expects growth to contract by 6 per cent by year end a figure significantly higher than the 3.6 per cent contraction envisaged earlier before experiencing a modest rebound to 3.5 per cent in...
Philippines Turkey to boost economic ties
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently paid a visit to Ankara Turkey at the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul. The aim of the visit was to discuss ways to boost bilateral relations and economic ties. The visit took place at the time of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of...
Indonesians to halt tyre exports to Turkey
The chairman of the Indonesian Tire Association APBI Azis Pane recently announced that in 2010 Indonesia tyre manufacturers will halt exporting tires to Turkey Zaman reported. The Turkish governments steep tariffs as part of an anti-dumping measure forced Indonesian tyre manufacturers to halt exporting bicycle and motorcycle products to Turkey...
Banking watchdog predicts further economy recovery
The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency BDDK recently assessed the impacts of an ongoing global financial crisis on the Turkish economy in their Financial Markets Report. The banking watchdog announced that the Turkish economy which has entered a recovery phase will further improve in 210 although at a gradual pace...
Turkey exhibits large projects in China
A delegation of Turkish bureaucrats headed by Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek visited China on the official invitation of Chinese Finance Minister Xie Xuan news agencies reported. The purpose of the Turkish delegations visit was to seek investors who may be interested in a number of Turkeys major projects including the...
Vietnamese envoy calls on Turkey to explore opportunities
Vietnamese Ambassador to Turkey Duong Huynh Lap recently announced that economic-commercial ties between Vietnam and Turkey have witnessed good development over the years Zaman reported. Iin March the ambassador presented his credentials to Turkeys President Abdullah Gul to increase his embassys visibility with the Turkish public in a bid to...
Turkish Airlines sets sights on 20 new destinations in 3 yrs
Turkeys national flag carrier Turkish Airlines THY plans to extend its service to more destinations and provide Turkish customers access to destinations all around the world. To realize this objective Turkish Airlines will add 15-20 new destinations in the next three years the companys executive board director Candan Karlitekin told...
Real sector affected from the global crisis
Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek told the Global Economic Symposium GES in Germany that an agency should be established to follow and assess global risks to prevent global financial crisis. Regulation and supervision of banks should be made within a global perspective. Commenting on the Turkish economy Simsek said Turkish...
India Turkey discuss cooperation
Indian Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma recently paid a visit to turkey to attend the ninth session of India-Turkey Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation JCETC Zaman reported. He inked the Agreed Minutes of the above meeting. Speaking on the signing ceremony Sharma said that India...
Flooding takes a heavy toll on Turkey
At least 11 people have been killed due to flooding caused by heavy rains overnight in north-west Turkey television reports said on September 9. This is the worst catastrophe in recent years Istanbul governor Muammer Guler said. Around 220 liters of rain per square meter has fallen since September 8...
China to build bridge in Istanbul
Turkish State Minister Zafer Caglayan recently paid an official visit to Beijing to meet with Chinese Trade Minister Chen Deming. Prior the joint economic commission slated for September 27 and 28 in Beijing it was agreed that Chinese are ready to take part in the construction of Istanbuls third bridge...
EU welcomes Turkey Armenia agreement
The European Union on September 1 said moves by Turkey and Armenia to resume diplomatic relations after decades of hostility could foster peace and stability in the South Caucasus. The European Commission attaches high importance to a rapid and steady implementation of the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations...
Tajikistan World Bank ink grant agreement
Tajikistan and the World Bank recently signed a grant agreement for USD 971 000 in Dushanbe. The document was signed by Safarali Najmiddinov Minister of Finance representing the government of Tajikistan and World Banks International Development Association IDA represented by Chiara Bronchi the World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan Asia-Plus...
Restaurant and café owners protest smoking ban
Around 1 000 people on August 18 rallied in Ankara to protest Turkeys one-month-old ban on smoking inside bars restaurants and cafes. They included owners and managers who say the ban has hurt business and that their establishments risk closing down.
The Turkish government introduced the smoking ban in closed space...
Turkey and Qatar discuss energy
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani met with Turkeys President Abdullah Gul in Istanbul on August 18 to discuss greater cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector including the building of a possible pipeline.
At a joint press conference Sheikh al-Thani said the Gul and he had...
Backers pull out of Ilisu Dam project
Germany Austria and Switzerland on July 7 cancelled financing for a controversial hydroelectric dam in south-east Turkey over concerns that it will flood ancient ruins and harm the environment. Turkey however responded with annoyance to the withdrawal of export credits and said it would continue to build the dam without...
Turkey signs arms projects
Turkey recently inked 700 million Euro worth of arms projects mainly with local companies to boost domestic production in military technologies. The Executive Committee of the Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry SSM the main decision-making organ in arms procurement decided to start contract talks with Turkish Aerospace Industries TAI as...
Turkey China to tap energy and tourism potentials
At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao Turkish President Abdullah Gul accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan who is responsible for the economy is scheduled to visit China on June 23-29. The aim of the visit was to boost bilateral ties and look into prospects of increased economic...
Economic recovery on track
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan told investors that Turkeys economy is on track to rebound from the global financial crisis and the government is committed to continuing reforms to help it do so.
A the Second Euromoney Turkey Finance and Investment Forum organised by...
Sector on verge of collapse
Leasing Association FIDER Chairman Bulent Tasar recently announced that the repercussions of the global financial crisis and recent tax increases will bring the leasing sector on the threat of collapse news agencies reported. The governments decision to increase the value-added tax KDV on lease transactions from one percent to 18...
Turkey to build Ilisu dam without international participation
Turkey has decided to begin work on the controversial Ilisu dam in the countrys south-east without international funds Turkeys Environment Minister Veysel Eroglu was quoted by the daily Radikal as saying on June 16.
Turkey would finance the project from its own resources. International credits for the project had been at...
World Bank loan for electricity development
The World Bank board of executive directors recently announced that it ahs approved the First Programmatic Electricity Sector Development Policy Loan Program for Turkey in the amount of 800 million Euro Zaman reported. The Washington-based lender said on the programme will generate employment increase global competitiveness for Turkish companies and...
EBRD calls for more reforms
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD released a report on Turkeys economic developments saying that differences of economic development between the regions are noticeable and the government should introduce incentives to encourage entrepreneurs to invest throughout the country to minimise such discrepancies....
Sweden again calls for Eu energy talks with Ankara
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said on June 9 that the European Union should open talks with Turkey this year on how to bring its energy sector into line with EU laws as part of the countrys accession process. Sweden is set to take over the blocs rotating presidency in...
Ankara supports Nabucco Blue Stream II pipelines
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