Turkish Forum

Category: South Asia

  • Turkey seeks more air connectivity with India to boost tourism, trade

    Turkey seeks more air connectivity with India to boost tourism, trade

    NEW DELHI: Turkey today said it wants to double the number of flights from Delhi and Mumbai connecting the country to boost tourism and enhance trade and investments relations.

    “We want to double the frequency of flights from Delhi and Mumbai. We also want to start flights to more Indian destinations. It will help in boosting tourism sector in both the countries,” Ambassador of Turkey to India Burak Akcapar said here at a CII function.

    At present, a total of seven flights from Mumbai and Delhi connect India to Turkey.

    “We have completed all the procedures from our side (to increase flight frequency). Now the ball is in India’s court,” he added.

    Akcapar emphasised on the need to increase awareness among the business community of both the countries to enhance trade and investments relations.

    He said that the bilateral trade between the countries reflects that a lot needs to be done to increase two-way commerce as India is lagging behind several of its peers including China and several African nations.

    “Trade figure is very low. India lags behind in the way it represents in Turkey. It lags behind China, Africa and its peers in the world,” he said.

    The bilateral trade stood at USD 4.5 billion in 2011-12. The Ambassador said that huge opportunities exists in Turkey for Indian business community in sectors like infrastructure, IT and automobile.

    He also emphasised to increase cultural cooperation between the countries and urged the Indian Prime Minister to visit Turkey.

    Major imports from Turkey comprise minerals, fertilisers, nuclear reactors and machinery, while exports include pharma, manmade yarn and electronic goods.

    via Turkey seeks more air connectivity with India to boost tourism, trade – The Economic Times.

  • Turkey: Land where climates, people and cultures meet

    Turkey: Land where climates, people and cultures meet

    Sunday, February 10, 2013 – Islamabad —Viewing Turkey through the lens of Erkut Onart was pleasantly refreshing for many as the photographs reflected a Turkey, culturally rich and diverse. Erkut Onart’s photography exhibition titled “Turkey: the land where climates, people and cultures meet” that opened here at Satrang Gallery was attended by art enthusiast and diplomats. Mr. Onart himself, H.E Babur Hizlan, Ambassador of Turkey, and Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker of National Assembly were the chief guests at the occasion. The exhibition is first of the events as part of the cultural activities between Pakistan and Turkey. “2013-2014 would be celebrated as the Cultural Years of Turkey in Pakistan and Pakistan in Turkey to strengthen the ties of the two countries” said the Turkish Ambassador, Babur Hizlan. Faisal Kundi hoped that Pakistani artists would also go to Turkey under the cultural exchange program.

    The vibrant photographs, portraying places, people, architecture and landscapes of Turkey, depicted a rich culture full of diversity. “Mr. Onart has truly captured the beauty and spirit of the people and places of Turkey,” said Asma Khan, director of the Gallery. Every photograph allows a glance into nature, ambiance, people and places of different cultures. “Each photo reflects a different region of Turkey and is a great opportunity for Pakistanis to learn about the country” remarked Madame Hizlan.

    The exhibition reflects the diversity and richness of the Turkish culture. “It is refreshing and different from what we generally see in Turkish dramas on our (Pakistani) channels” said Ahsan Akhtar, a visitor, who was impressed enough to plan a visit to Turkey.

    Places of Istanbul are the highlight of the exhibition but the photographer has brought out other striking places as well such as the city of Bursa and Konya, city of Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes. Photographs of the Blue Mosque, the prestigious landmark of Istanbul; photo Dolmabahce Palace, in all its glory, stood tall among other photos on display.

    via Turkey: Land where climates, people and cultures meet.

  • Pakistan opens Turkey-helped rapid bus lane system

    Pakistan opens Turkey-helped rapid bus lane system

    Lahor Metrobus system will carry 100K passengers daily.

    World Bulletin / News Desk

    IBB METROBUS PROJESINI PAKISTAN'A TASIDI

    Lahor’s rapid bus lane system was inaugurated on Sunday in a ceremony attended by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag.

    Bozdag and and Pakistan main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Metrobus system, a rapid public transit network similar to Istanbul’s fleet operating on dedicated bus lanes.

    “This is an important example of the cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan. Our two brotherly countries should further improve cooperation in commerce, education, health and social life,” Bozdag told the ceremony.

    The bus lane project was prepared by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and part of the lane was constructed by Albayrak Holding, a Turkish contractor, which also won operating rights of the system for 8 years.

    The 27-kilometer lane will carry 100,000 passengers a day.

    via Pakistan opens Turkey-helped rapid bus lane system | Asia-Pasific | World Bulletin.

  • U.S. And Indian Army Military Exercise – WOW ViDEO

    U.S. And Indian Army Military Exercise – WOW ViDEO

  • Istanbul to Islamabad journey to take 11 days with Gul Train

    Istanbul to Islamabad journey to take 11 days with Gul Train

    Director General of Turkey’s State Railways (TCDD) Suleyman Karaman said that in their talks with Pakistani and Afghan ministers, a decision was taken to increase the frequency of the Gul Train travelling between Istanbul and Islamabad and to increase the amount of cargo carried, according to a report published by Turkish Weekly.

    Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA), Suleyman Karaman stressed that they aimed to bring down the number of days required for the Gul Train to reach Islamabad from Istanbul to 11 days from the previous mark of 15 days.

    via Istanbul to Islamabad journey to take 11 days with Gul Train | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia.

  • Turkey support cause of Kashmiris

    Turkey support cause of Kashmiris

    Turkey support cause of Kashmiris

    Sunday, December 09, 2012 – TURKEY has once again won hearts of the people of Pakistan by expressing its full support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people. Talking to a Pakistan parliamentary delegation in Ankara, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said there was a great deal of awareness about the Kashmir issue in Turkey, which was product of an unjust international system, hoping that dialogue between Pakistan and India would lead to an amicable solution.

    This is not for the first time that the Turkish leadership has unequivocally extended their country’s support to Pakistan on this issue as Ankara has been steadfast in its policy on Kashmir since long. Turkey has been contributing its sincere efforts towards resolution of the longstanding problem and seeking an end to human rights violations of Kashmiri people. It has been raising its voice and supporting Pakistan’s principled stand on the dispute at all international forums in a steadfast manner. The most important aspect of its contribution is as member of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir that has always adopted strong resolutions on the issue, supporting right of self-determination for Kashmiris and resolution of the problem as per aspirations of Kashmiri people. Turkey is so forthright in its advocacy for the rights of Kashmiri people that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue in his UN General Assembly speech last year, demanding early resolution of the dispute for achieving peace and stability in the region. This is significant in view of the fact that even some Pakistani leaders felt shy of raising the issue at UN for sometime in their bid not to displease Indians. We appreciate statement of Mr. Abdullah Gul that there was great awareness of Kashmir issue in Turkey as this is confirmed by seminars and discussions organized by civil society organizations in the brotherly country as well as favourable media reports appearing quite frequently on the issue. We are sure that the categorical position of the Turkish leadership and people would further deepen love and affection between the two countries. We also urge other OIC member States to join Turkey and Saudi Arabia in adding their voice for the sake of rights of Kashmiri people.

    via Turkey support cause of Kashmiris.