My first time in Turkey changed my perception of happenings in Turkey totally. Even though it might be not quite objective to try to comprehend Turkey based only on impressions from Istanbul and Ankara, I was amazed to find it so liberal and European-like! Another thing – I am truly astonished to find so many similarities between our cultures and my “native” dialect. Turkish people – just as Armenians – appeared to be exceptionally friendly, incredibly entrepreneurial, but at the same time somehow reserved, distrustful, and sad. Maybe it’s only my own subjective perception, but despite all the jolly looking crowds walking along the Istiklal and the recent economic achievements of the country, Turkey seems to be full of sadness and fear. I used to think that we – Armenians – have been and still are the victims of Turkish government and nationalistic policies. Now I believe that Turkish people too are among the victims of their own government!
Then I discovered Hrant Dink! Quite differently than I knew him from the other side of the border! I used to think of him as an incredibly smart and brave Armenian-Turkish journalist, who fought for truth till the end. But in Turkey I came to know him as someone who shaped a new era – an era of culture of truth! Pro-government officials and opposition, NGOs and just ordinary people – everyone we met in Turkey divided time in two: before Hrant Dink and after Hrant Dink!
I was lost in Istanbul. The city that I wholeheartedly love – the majestic multicultural architectural heritage, colorful streets, its warm and friendly people… the city that I hate for all the crimes it hosted… for all the violence it silently witnessed. I am lost.
Go left… and then straight forward ..and then again straight – a boy with huge eyes tried to help me out. Straight forward? How do I go straight forward in a city of not a single straight street?
Straight forward to opening borders between countries! Armenia will break out of the blockade! Turkey will stipulate development in Eastern regions! Straight forward to opening borders also between Turkish and Armenian people? Is there a way – even a twisted one through the mutual distrust, hatred and pain accumulated over so many years?
“I am from Ermenistan” – I said cautiously smiling. “Welcome” – they cautiously smiled back.
Back in Yerevan I keep asking myself, is there a way out of sadness and hopelessness for my exhausted heartbroken people, whose identity is tied to genocide? Is there a way out of silence for these cautiously smiling people on the other side of the border, living decades in a land of military rule and controlled freedom?
Vice-President Hamid Ansari made a personal pilgrimage here on Friday, the penultimate day of his six-day tour of Turkey, offering prayers at the mosque of his ancestor Eyup Sultan, revered as a companion of Prophet Mohammed.
PTI Vice-President Hamid Ansari with his wife Salma Ansari at the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul on Friday
Accompanied by his wife Salma, Mr. Ansari arrived early for the first of his engagements for the day, and offered prayers after walking through its rain-swept courtyards and portions under renovation.
Ebu Eyyub El-Ansari, the official brochure says, is one of the distinguished disciples referred to as host of the Prophet and a fellow soldier of the Messenger of God because he had played host to Him in his home for six months during His migration to Medina.
Later, Mr. Ansari, along with the delegation which included Union Minister Mukul Wasnik and MPs Sitaram Yechury, Vijay Pal Singh and Ingrid McLeod, visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque and the Hagia Sophia museum, which was previously a church, famous for its massive dome and considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture.
via The Hindu : News / International : In Istanbul, Ansari keeps his date with ancestor’s mosque.
Istanbul, Oct 14 (ANI): With India’s trade relation with Turkey already surpassing the target of US$ 5 billion ahead of current times, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansar has urged businessmen here to invest in India’s infrastructural growth.
In his address at the dinner hosted by the confederation of businessmen and industrialists of Turkey at the Hilton hotel here, Vice President Ansari said: “In recent years, our mutual economic and commercial relations have become a major driving force of our bilateral relationship. Bilateral Trade has more than doubled in the last five years from US$ 1.5 billion in 2005 to US$ 4 billion in 2010, with an increasingly diverse export basket on both sides.”
“For the current calendar year, the bilateral trade is expected to register a 80 plus percent increase over last year and touch US$ 6.5-7 billion, surpassing the target of US$ 5 billion that the two governments had set for 2012 during Prime Minister Erdogan’s landmark visit to India in 2008. This has been possible only due to the active exchanges and collaboration between our business communities, including that of members of TUSKON,” he added.
Vice President Ansari said the trend in the flow of services and investments between India and Turkey is encouraging.
“Today, over hundred Indian companies have registered businesses, investments and operations here, spanning the IT sector, airport infrastructure, automobiles, steel, irrigation and personal care products. Considering the expertise and experience of the Turkish companies in construction of infrastructure, it has emerged as a leading sector for investments from Turkey into India,” said Vice President Ansari.
“I am confident that our business and industry would further strengthen the bilateral economic partnership. The prospects have never been brighter for us to intensify our engagement and tap our markets, and those of our regions and third countries to which we are important gateways. I call upon you to harness the huge untapped potential to increase the volume and enhance the quality of our economic engagement. Both governments are your partners in this enterprise,” he added.
Expressing his delight to be in the historic and beautiful city of Istanbul, Vice President Ansari said: “I thank the leadership and people of Turkey for the warmth and hospitality shown to me and my delegation during the visit.”
“My meetings in Ankara with President Gul, Prime Minister Erdogan and my gracious host Speaker Cicek have made evident the fund of goodwill that exists and reflects the mutual determination for a multifaceted and dynamic partnership between our two countries,” he added.
Thanking the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey for hosting him, Vice President Ansari said ‘we can together explore ways of furthering our mutual economic and commercial relations and take them into a higher orbit’.
“As one of the largest institution representing the business community in Turkey, TUSKON has taken the initiative in facilitating outreach between our business and industry. TUSKON was active in the successful trade and investment delegation that visited India in March 2008 led by the State Minister for Foreign Trade Mr. Kursad Tuzmen. I understand that its members had more than 2000 one-on-one meetings. Its success is thus evident,” said Vice President Ansari.
“The next step should be the opening of a representative office in India to help consolidate the surging growth rate in bilateral trade and facilitate the realization of our ambitious trade and investment targets,” he added.
Stating that Turkey and India share many basic values and beliefs, Vice President Ansari said: “We share a commitment to democracy, a profound belief in a secular polity, respect for the rule of law and upholding of human rights fundamental freedoms, and an economic system that could unshackle the energies and capabilities of our dynamic people and lead them to higher levels of prosperity and well being.”
“As members of the G 20, Turkey and India are witness to the momentous economic developments sweeping the global stage. We are witnessing a new and dangerous phase in the global economy that could threaten the global economic recovery that began in 2009. The IMF warned last month that the downside risks are ‘severe’ and include ‘a downward spiral of increased uncertainty and risk aversion, dysfunctional financial markets, unsustainable debt dynamics, falling demand and rising unemployment’,” he added.
The Vice President further said ‘developing countries would be hit with weakening external demand and need to enhance domestic demand in an inclusive manner, bear the rising burden of inflationary pressures, and strengthen macroeconomic and financial frameworks’.
“More than at any time in the past, nations and leaders are called upon to undertake collective economic actions and implement coordinated policies to enable a return to sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. The backdrop to our bilateral economic cooperation is thus one of global uncertainty. Yet, it has a silver lining. Turkey has in 2010 experienced a real GDP growth of 8.9 per cent and is expected to grow by 6.6 per cent this year. India too had real GDP growth of 10.1 per cent last year and is projected to grow at 7.8 per cent this year,” said Vice President Ansari.
“During the past five years, India had aimed at achieving faster and more inclusive growth, and has achieved an average GDP growth of 8.2 percent. This growth led to generation of incomes and employment opportunities to millions of our citizens and improved the living standards for the bulk of our population. It has also enhanced revenue generation of the government enabling it to launch social sector programmes, aimed at reducing poverty and enabling inclusiveness. We attach high priority to them,” he added.
Asserting that India has set a growth target of 9 per cent per annum for the five-year period 2012-17 in the Twelfth Five Year Plan, Vice President Ansari said that this cannot be achieved without doubling the investment in infrastructure during the next five years, from US $ 500 billion over the past five years to about one trillion dollars.
“We need more investments in roads and highways, new electricity generation and distribution networks, expanded and modernized railways networks, new and upgraded airport and port facilities. Such essential elements of infrastructure would provide our industry and agriculture with the connectivity needed for growth in production and trade, and for improving the quality of life of all of our people,” said Vice President Ansari.
“We have also reiterated our commitment to continue the process of economic reforms. In a multi-pronged manner, we are proceeding with tax reforms, especially the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax, financial sector reforms, legal reforms, and major reforms in education and skill development. We are also committed to the pursuit of prudent fiscal and monetary policies and controlling inflation,” he added. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)
President Abdullah Gül gives a speech at an international meeting to mark the 20th year of the independence of Turkic republics.
As the 20th anniversary of independence arrives for the Turkic republics, Turkey is reviewing its connections with the countries it deems “brothers,” looking for a more institutionalized touch that speaks more to the mind than to the heart.
Although these countries, namely Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, have traditionally held priority of place amongst Turkey’s bilateral ties with other countries, the arrival of the 20th anniversary of their independence has prompted Turkey to review its long-standing policy toward them. What has been accomplished between the countries, popularly claimed to be “different states of the same nation,” in these 20 years is a clear indication that it might be high time for Turkey to build on the strong ties, but with solid accomplishment that speaks for the pledges.
Turkey has been reviewing its policy in a way that looks to balance ties with regard to past issues to give birth to solutions, Turkish officials told Sunday’s Zaman on the sidelines of an international meeting Turkey hosted in celebration of the anniversaries. These statements confirm the obvious fact that in spite of the great importance Turkey attaches to its Turkic brothers, relations with these countries have not always evolved into solid cooperation; to the contrary, the ties have loosened due to Turkey’s naïve and mistaken conviction that they can be maintained without much effort because of the historic and ethnic ties. Now Turkey seems to be aligning its foreign policy in a way that would close the gap and revive old partnerships.
Twenty years ago when the Turkic states acquired their independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Turkish political leaders were quite enthusiastic about the prospects this new state of affairs offered Turkey: The first initiatives towards the region were mainly based on emotions, in the process of which, Turkey emerged as a protective elder brother, which caused drawbacks over the long-run when the role was too much to deliver. Twenty years later, it is all the more clear for Turkey that it may not actually be the right way to build lasting relations, as for some time now the motivation behind relations between the “brotherly” countries has progressively evolved into a system where the interests of the parties involved are more important than emotions.
As a result, cooperation between the Turkic countries has increasingly gotten better, although some problems still persist between these countries themselves, as a result of which the Nakhchivan Agreement was signed between Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, while the two others, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, remained outside, on Oct. 3, 2009. The agreement paved the way for the foundation of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (CCTS), which became operational at a summit in 2010 in İstanbul, laying the groundwork to hopefully put the council on a more solid track.
The next step in the council meetings is scheduled for Astana, where ministers of economy come together on Oct. 13, followed by another meeting of foreign ministers on Oct 21. Also that month the heads of the Turkic states will meet at the first get-together of the CCTS, proving that the long-desired institutionalization may now be under way for the Turkic republics and Turkey.
Emotions cause for past disappointments
Since the countries enjoyed a close bond and a common world vision without much effort from either side, heartfelt expectations sometimes melted into disappointment — a feeling Turkey is trying to eradicate by putting affairs on solid ground to foster political, economic, cultural and social ties between the states.
The international meeting held in Turkey earlier this week on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independence of the Turkic republics is a clear indication that the countries are eager to come together on the diplomatic track and alternative avenues, define problems and look for solutions to existing issues. “Turkey’s dream in the ’90s of forming an economic union with the newly emerged Turkic countries did not come true,” Halil Akıncı, secretary-general of the CCTS and a former ambassador, noted as he co-chaired a session during the Ankara meetings of Oct. 5 and 6. Akıncı added that the formation of institutional bodies between the states makes it easier to track progress and ensures that problems do not only get “whined about” but are put on an agenda to be solved. “Past issues stemmed from over-emotional reactions between the Turkic republics; it is high time we emerge from that,” Akıncı stated at an evaluation session on Thursday.
The Turkic Council, Akıncı noted, would initially deal with economic progress but continue with a second phase concerning the cultural and educational fields. To this end, Akıncı said a common history book would be published, presenting the shared history of the republics and that a Turkic Academy would be founded to study the culture of the Turkic republics. “The 20 years of relations between Turkic states have been fruitful,” commented Bülent Aras, chairman of Center for Strategic Research (SAM), a research body founded under the umbrella of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, in a quick interview with Sunday’s Zaman on the margin of the meeting. “There is a great tendency for cooperation, and steps we cannot downplay have been taken,” Aras noted but admitted that the current level of developments between the states was not enough. “We have developed a fresh perspective in our relations; more cooperation is sure to come in the future,” Aras added, hinting that Turkey is indeed changing its attitude toward the Turkic republics.
Obstacles
The bonds between the six states are also affected by a complex interwoven web of relations with each other, as well as with other parties, which have a claim on the dynamics of the region. The last instance of a dispute between Turkey and its major Turkic ally, Azerbaijan, erupted in 2009 when Turkey tried to normalize relations with Armenia through outlining a roadmap that would make the dysfunctional border between the neighbors operational again. However, Azerbaijan lashed out at the possibility of normalization before a solution is found to the Armenian occupation of a number of Azeri enclaves around Nagorno-Karabakh, which is why Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in the first place.
In the case of waiving visa requirements between Azerbaijan and Turkey, it was Iran that intervened and blocked the prospect, saying that it would ask to benefit from the same privilege if Turkey was given the green light.
An additional debate that usually comes up on the economic sidelines between the nations concerns energy prices, since Turkey is the buyer and transporter of large amounts of Azeri natural gas.
Touching on difficulties facing Turkic states in their quest for better cooperation, Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, a professor of international relations at Gazi University in Ankara, told Sunday’s Zaman in an interview that under the surface, there was much to be considered for relations to evolve to the desired level. Hailing the establishment of the CCTS, founded with the Nakhchivan Agreement, which is “the best move Turkey has ever made in Central Asia,” Erol stated most plans to increase cooperation have remained at their initial stages due to a large number of obstacles.
Lamenting difficulties the Turkic republics face in their diplomatic connections, Erol added that Turkey could only improve relations through deeply rooted diplomatic tracks, which necessitate more institutionalization from all ends. Although the academic stressed that the states wanted more institutionalization, he noted the current level of ties remained at the initial phase of intentions and should be backed by solid plans to move on to the next phase.
His words were confirmed by Dr. Aydar Amrebaev, deputy director of the Kazakhstan Institute for World Economy and Politics (IWEP), at the Thursday session of the international meeting, as he spoke of the problems within the Turkic states. “There are no representatives from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. As the Turkic world, we need to solve the problems of the Caspian region,” Amrebaev stated. Not only Amrebaev but also Associate Professor Bulat Sultanov, director of the Kazakhstan Institute of Strategic Research, underlined that relations should be handled on an equal basis, implying that Kazakhstan has no need of aid from Turkey but needs cooperation in many fields, including defense and security.
YEREVAN – French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Turkey on Friday to recognise the World War I-era massacres of Armenians as genocide within a “very brief” period before his term ends in May 2012.
“From 1915 to 2011, it seems to be enough (time) for reflection,” Sarkozy told reporters in Yerevan on the second day of his visit to Armenia.
Speaking alongside his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian, he noted however that “it is not up to France to give an ultimatum to anyone”.
Sarkozy on Thursday urged Turkey to “revisit its history” over the killings of hundreds of thousands of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire, calling its refusal to recognise the deaths as genocide as “unacceptable”.
The French president said that if Turkey did not make this “gesture of peace” and “step towards reconciliation”, he would consider proposing the adoption of a law criminalising denial of the killings as genocide.
He said that he was still hoping that Turkey would act before the end of his term in office.
Sarkozy angered Turkey ahead of his election in 2007 by backing a law aimed at prosecuting those who refused to recognise the massacres as genocide.
The French lower house of parliament later rejected the measure, infuriating the Armenian diaspora in France which is estimated at around 500,000 people.
Armenians say that up to 1.5 million of their kin fell victim to genocide during World War I under the Ottoman Empire.
Turkey counters that 300,000 to 500,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife when Armenians rose up against their Ottoman rulers and sided with invading Russian forces.
Sarkozy has also indicated his ambition to bring Armenia and neighbouring Azerbaijan forward in the stalled peace process over the tiny Nagorny Karabakh region, the focus of a bitter territorial conflict since the fall of the Soviet Union.
On the eve of his arrival, the French leader urged the two rivals to “take the risk of peace”.
At the joint news conference in Yerevan, Armenian leader Sarkisian responded by saying that he appreciated France’s efforts to establish “a durable peace”.
“President Sarkozy’s personal involvement in this process is particularly important to us,” Sarkisian said.
But in a sign of continuing tensions along the Karabakh frontline, two Azerbaijani soldiers and one Armenian serviceman were reported to have been shot dead in exchanges of fire the day before Sarkozy arrived.
Seventeen soldiers have now been reported killed this year around Karabakh, which Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan seized from Azerbaijan in a war in the 1990s that left some 30,000 dead.
Despite years of talks since the 1994 ceasefire, the two sides have yet to sign a final peace deal.
Sarkozy was due to arrive in Azerbaijan after leaving Armenia and then to end his two-day swing through the Caucasus with a visit to Georgia.
via Sarkozy urges Turkey to quickly recognise Armenia ‘genocide’ | Pakistan Today | Latest news, Breaking news, Pakistan News, World news, business, sport and multimedia.
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — French President Nicolas Sarkozy has urged Turkey to recognize the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide.
AP Photo/PanARMENIAN, Tigran MehrabyanFrench President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and Armenian President Serge Sarkisian applaud at the French Square, in Yerevan, Armenia, Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. Sarkozy has urged Turkey to recognize the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide. Sarkozy said Friday during a news conference in the Armenian capital that Turkey's refusal to do so would force France to change its law and make such denial a criminal offense.YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — French President Nicolas Sarkozy has urged Turkey to recognize the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide.Sarkozy told Friday's news conference in the Armenian capital
Sarkozy told Friday’s news conference in the Armenian capital that Turkey’s refusal to do so would force France to change its law and make such denial a criminal offense.
via France Urges Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide.
My first time in Turkey changed my perception of happenings in Turkey totally. Even though it might be not quite objective to try to comprehend Turkey based only on impressions from Istanbul and Ankara, I was amazed to find it so liberal and European-like! Another thing – I am truly astonished to find so many similarities between our cultures and my “native” dialect. Turkish people – just as Armenians – appeared to be exceptionally friendly, incredibly entrepreneurial, but at the same time somehow reserved, distrustful, and sad. Maybe it’s only my own subjective perception, but despite all the jolly looking crowds walking along the Istiklal and the recent economic achievements of the country, Turkey seems to be full of sadness and fear. I used to think that we – Armenians – have been and still are the victims of Turkish government and nationalistic policies. Now I believe that Turkish people too are among the victims of their own government!
