Turkish Forum English

Category: EU Members

European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Turkey on 17 Dec. 2004

Why were German soldiers ‘attacked’ in Turkey?

Why were German soldiers ‘attacked’ in Turkey?

The recent attack on German soldiers by a group of Turkish nationalists in Iskenderun reveals the distrust some Turks feel toward the West, NATO and the US. It seems likely that more protests will follow.

For the German soldiers deployed in Turkey to work on Patriot missile installations, there’s good reason to feel a bit confused. First the Turkish government demanded the assistance of NATO allies to defend itself against potential rocket attacks due to the turmoil in neighboring Syria.

Yet barely had German soldiers set foot on Turkish soil when they were met by protests and physical attacks by Turkish citizens. For weeks now, a colorful smattering of political groups, made up of nationalists, communists and Islamists have been protesting against the installation of Patriot missiles in Turkey. The attack on German soldiers in Iskenderun this week was the culmination of those demonstrations.

Green tanks roll across a parking lot after exiting the the large ship that carried them. (Photo: REUTERS/Umit Bektas) German Patriots arrived at Iskenderun’s port in early January

“We’re going to fight until NATO soldiers are driven out of our country,” said Cagdas Cengiz, vice chairman of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), a left-wing nationalist group, during a demonstration in front of the German consulate in Istanbul, shortly after the attack on the German soldiers.

“We warned you,” Cengiz said to the Germans. “But you didn’t listen.”

Sacks as a symbol

In Iskenderun, under the leadership of TGB Chairman Ilker Yücel, members of the group surrounded plainclothes German soldiers, insulted them and then attempted to stuff sacks over their heads. By using sacks, nationalists were playing on an incident that took place after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. At that time US troops in northern Iraq arrested Turkish soldiers and placed sacks over their heads. Turkish nationalists have yet to forgive that incident.

The shape the protests have taken has made it clear that the German army has stepped into storm of aggressive anti-Americanism – a sentiment which, according to surveys and statements by experts, is widespread. Anti-American attitudes, says Füsun Türkmen, a political scientist in Istanbul, have a firm grip on Turkish society. A Lieutenant Colonel from the German military, Frank Sarak, believes that “demonstrators confused the German soldiers with American GIs.”

A tough spot for the German government

When the German Marshall Fund – an American policy institution that promotes cooperation between North America and Europe – conducted a survey on the popularity of the US in Europe and Russia a few months ago, Turkey came in at the bottom of the barrel. Only 34 percent of Turkish citizens have a positive impression of the US and just one in four would like to see Washington DC in a role of international leadership. Opinions were similar with regard to NATO. A mere 38 percent considered the alliance necessary; in the EU and US the number of NATO supporters is 20 percent higher.

A middle-aged Turksih man looks off camera with a Turkish flag behind him. (Photo: REUTERS/Osman Orsal) Erdogan is facing a presidential election next year

That didn’t used to be a problem for the Turkish government under Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan gets along splendidly with US President Barack Obama. Turkish-American relations are better than they have been in a long time.

Yet should the protests against Ankara and its request for NATO troops spread further, Erdogan might be forced to have an emergency meeting with NATO allies. After the incident in Iskenderun, Ankara received strong warnings and criticism from the German government in Berlin.

Protests expected to continue

To date the Turkish protest movement remains small and confined to Turkey’s political fringe. That said, the Turkish Youth Union has recently received the support of parliamentarians of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), a social democratic party and the largest opposition force in the country.

With an election campaign just getting underway in Turkey – both a presidential election and parliamentary elections will take place in 2014 and 2015 – Erdogan’s opponents will likely attempt to utilize anti-Western sentiment.

Men in green battle dress uniforms march in file Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images) In Berlin, 240 German soldiers board a plane for Turkey’s border – and Erdogan wants them home ASAP

As a result of the protests the Turkish government would like to rid Turkey of the Patriot missile batteries as soon as possible. When dangers from Syria ultimately subside, NATO weapons will leave the country “on the same day – and even the same hour,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Until that happens the Turkish Youth Union, which has already announced plans for further demonstrations, will continue to protest.

DW.DE

via Why were German soldiers ‘attacked’ in Turkey? | Europe | DW.DE | 24.01.2013.

January 26, 2013
Fraport signals interest in new Istanbul airport

The operator of Germany’s biggest airport in Frankfurt has indicated it’s contemplating bidding for an operating concession for Istanbul’s new and third hub. It’s billed to become the world largest airport.

Germany’s Frankfurt airport operator Fraport on Friday signaled its interest in obtaining an operating concession for the third aviation hub in Istanbul, Turkey, to be opened in 2017.

“We’ll be looking at the call for bids very carefully,” Fraport told Reuters news agency, adding that no tender-related documents were available yet. The company said Turkey was a very interesting market and stated that it had already fared well in the country as the majority shareholder of the Antalya airport for holidaymakers.

Istanbul’s new hub is scheduled to deal with some 90 million passengers a year, with the potential of eventually welcoming 150 million people which would make it the biggest airport in the world.

One more try

“Should we take part in the bidding for Istanbul, we’d most likely do that together with a partner to spread risks,” Fraport said. Usually, the company applies for an operating concession with a validity of several decades.

However, recent attempts to obtain such concession have all failed. Last month, Fraport was unsuccessful in securing a concession for one out of seven Portuguese airports up for tender.

Besides Antalya, Fraport already operates a hub in Lima and two others in Bulgaria. The company gets about a fifth of total revenues from its business abroad.

hg/hc (Reuters, dpa)

via Fraport signals interest in new Istanbul airport | Business | DW.DE | 25.01.2013.

January 26, 2013
2013

2013

          I have been a Real Stockbroker for over 55 years now and I love it! One reason for my longevity is that I have learned to look at the whole picture. Not just the good looking lady in the center. Others tend to concentrate on their specialty and are often blindsided by an “unforeseen event”.

The good news is that the economy is in a rebuilding process, despite the greedy players in the market place.

Our main growth will come from natural gas and exporting it to Asian and European countries. Stem cell research will pay huge dividends in the health care area. I will write more about these situations later and the investment opportunities available to the patient investor.

There is a pattern that is just developing and is very disturbing because of the implications. Gold bullion is being taken to their home countries because, I believe, that we are not trusted as much as we were. We have a weak dollar and have not passed a budget for years, and worse yet our debt ratio to GDP is over 90%. First it was Venezuela and then Iran wanted their gold bullion shipped to them. Then the Queen of England did a tour of the Bank of England’s vault with big smiles. Why would they drag the Queen down to their bank vaults for the whole world to see?

Is it because J P Morgan Chase bank is flouting the law by illegally manipulating the price of gold and silver in the commodity market?

Has Germany, with a very strong economic balance sheet, asked for their deposits back? After WWII their gold was deposited in various countries as a safeguard. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

What is it that the central bankers fear? Collapse of the dollar or devaluation? That is a distinct possibility if our Congress does not settle down to do it’s own business. ( The House creates a budget and the senate approves and then it is sent to the President- this is part of the checks and balances built into our system of government.)

Are they worried that the President will confiscate their holdings to suit his needs? Charles Krauthammer on FOX TV once editorialized “that do not listen to him, but WATCH what he does”. Presidents since Ronald Reagan have had disillusioned second terms.

Now that I have used up my disclaimers here are my predictions for 2013.

OPEC cartel will come crumbling down. History has proven that cartels do not last, but this one has lasted a long time supported in a way by the United States. Why? There has not been an oil refinery built since 1974!

Despite what our government can do, it is powerless in controlling the American entrepreneurship. The hydraulic fracking of shale oil has unleashed billions of metric cubic feet (Mcf) in natural gas fields. We are now the Saudi Arabia for natural gas. As we convert from oil to gas , the loss of OPEC’s biggest customer will raise havoc among cartel members and some will begin to cheat. As the price drops, some oil companies will find it tough sledding on the interest rate slopes. They will find it very tough to service their debt obligations at lower prices. These fields could last for centuries. There is a field that starts in Pennsylvania through New York State well into our borders in Canada.

This will be boom for companies that are energy dependent for cheap fuel.

A new industry has been kick started. Converting natural gas to Liquid natural gas. Right now there is one company that built a plant in the 1980’s to IMPORT natural gas. They reversed the process and are the only US company that has approval for exporting. They own 2 tankers that are running at full capacity. It takes time to build the ships and time to build the plants but eventually our balance of payments problem will reverse. With natural gas selling for under $3.50 mcf here and in Europe and Asia north to $7.00 plus; it will be a no brainer unless the government muddies the waters with inane provisos.

Right now there are 6 companies awaiting the President’s approval to begin building the plants.

The world as of today has copied or bastardized our ability to borrow or print money. The problem is that they do not have people power or natural resource capabilities to maintain the lifestyles they desire now.

China, Japan, Russia AND Europe have declining populations. In Japan they sell more adult diapers than baby diapers. Only in Asia do they have expanding populations. That means growth. Kids need many items in order to survive. One should look to Asian countries that have governments for investment ideas.

Pension plans face a disaster if they have been currently buying US Government bonds. There will come a day when interest rates will have to rise and that will cut their prices in half or more. The only way out of this heroin addicted low interest rates is devaluation. If the government devalues by 20% that means you will have 20% more dollars and prices of everything will drop by 20%. Except silver and gold. They should rise by 20% .

It is reported, using government agencies figures, that JP Morgan Chase is short 45% of silver stored in COMEX warehouses worldwide. This equals 25% of the known world production.   (When one sells short they sell something that they do not own and hope to buy it back at a lower price. ) Thus the price of silver could explode above the price of gold in a short covering rally because there are no stockpiles of silver like there is for oil.

There are four companies one can purchase to protect their hind quarters.

Stems cells are going to be the real game changer. Don’t fret – they are not made from human embryos.

These companies can work with vaccines which is far cheaper than drug research. For a few million dollars they can work on a vaccine and determine if it is doable in just six months. If the mass population is involved then they must seek FDA approval. But here the waiting period is short.

An example of this is Nannovercides (NNVC $.50) which has developed a pill for the flu vaccine. It supposedly is more effective than the flu shot, but since it involves millions of people the FDA is cautious about approval.

There are companies that can regenerate body organs, restore sight, monitor blood sugar and all kinds of sterile non harmful injections.

Many of these companies are being financed by major drug companies so they have staying power. The problem is that it takes time for fruition, but it is there I believe.

There is a major drug company that is researching over 200,000 different compounds but not a single vaccine.

The bottom line here is that this industry will extend the average human life and the average age will be over 110. This means extending social security retirements to 80, then 85 and eventually 100. Governments are going to reform or go broke.

The entitlement programs that are around today will become late night jokes on TV. This change will be both smooth and bumpy depending upon which social adjustment will be effective.

INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL HAVE TO READJUST ALONG WITH ALL KINDS OF AGE RELATED INDUSTRIES.           Imagine taking an early retirement at 85 so you can visit the moon!

My point is start thinking about star treckie stuff. Don’t get caught in the “I remember when” trap. Always look forward.

Do not tie your funds in non-liquid investments. Do not speculate because no one can tell you when and where the hammer and axe will fall.

Use common sense and always look around you and observe what is going on.

Those of us seeking income better have an attitude change. Income securities are fine when you can truly find them, but eventually interest rates have to return to normal and that spells losses for bond holder and income stocks. Eventually this will happen so it is wise to invest in solid companies and to sell some shares when income is needed.

As we grow older and mature more, and hopefully wiser, we must also change our preconceived ideas of wise management.

An example of this is that one buys a home to live in and prosper in the community – not to make money.

So today, January 2013, Precious metals, Natural gas stocks and associated businesses along with stem cell securities and CASH. Not money market funds – cash. Cash is King!

We are entering an era that will be challenging and exciting and fortunes can be made, but when and where is still to be determined.

Cheerio !~!!

January 24, 2013
Turkey eager for admittance to European Union

By Jennifer Campbell, Ottawa Citizen January 22, 2013

Turkey eager for admittance to European Union

Gov. Gen. David Johnston received credentials from three new ambassadors Jan. 18 at Rideau Hall. Pictured here are Nancy Ndiaye Ngom of Senegal, Johnston, Riadh Essid of Tunisia and Jean-Louis Wolzfeld of Luxembourg.

Photograph by: Cpl Roxanne Shewchuk , Rideau Hall

The new Turkish ambassador to Canada says his country’s interest in gaining admittance to the European Union has waned among members of the public but it shouldn’t.

He said Turkey is Western in view and the EU is the “personification of that.” He said it could be argued that Turkey’s transition toward democracy started in the late Ottoman period. “There were lots of reforms and Ataturk stated (his interest) in bringing the Turkish nation and state to the contemporary civilization level. That goal is also personified in the EU accession process.

“But it takes two to tango and, as you know, in 1996 Turkey became the only country that has the customs union without being a member. In 2005, we started our accession negotiations, at the same time as Croatia, and Croatia is already given a date for admittance to the European Union.”

He congratulated Croatia and said their success has nothing to do with Turkey’s stagnation, but the Turkish people, he said, don’t understand why Croatia is acceding and Turkey isn’t.

“If it’s about principles, Turkey deserves to be a EU member,” he said. “We are hopeful in the Irish presidency to open up new negotiating chapters. Only science and research has been completed. At this pace, it will take a long time to complete.”

He said the EU stands to gain by Turkey’s membership, both in terms of the EU becoming a multicultural, multi-religious global actor and also because Turkey’s economic performance, in light of the global economic crisis, has shown the EU that it will not be a burden but rather, “a catalyst for the EU’s growth.

“We’re doing relatively well in terms of the global economic meltdown. The EU is still our major trading partner but we’ve diversified into trade relations with our neighbours as well.”

He noted that the German finance minister recently noted that there may be a time in the future when the EU regrets not having Turkey as a member.

Asked about Turkey’s relations with its Kurdish minority, he said there have been some promising developments. “There are high hopes with talks going on between the BDP (party associated with Kurdish rights) and the PKK (whose leader is jailed in Turkey) so I hope that this is one of the important chances to settle the issue and have armistice. Everyone is very much in favour of the process.”

When it comes to press freedom, he acknowledged the system isn’t perfect but said “most” of the journalists in jail in Turkey aren’t there because of something they reported but rather because of “terrorist activities” such as “wounding and killing security officers” or being involved in such activities.

“Portraying this as a simplistic freedom of speech issue isn’t the correct way to portray it,” he said. “Everyone writes everything in Turkey. There is no taboo that can’t be discussed anymore and this is a good thing.”

He said there can always be improvements to the judicial system — the fifth reform package is before parliament and it will give more protection to journalists. Some, he said, who are not in jail for terrorist activities, may then be released.

via Turkey eager for admittance to European Union.

January 23, 2013
NATO sets up missile defense shield in Turkey

The Patriot missile defense system is meant to protect Turkey, in case neighboring Syria launches an attack. But the area is too big for the existing missile defense shield – not all cities are covered.

At the beginning of February 2013, German, Dutch and US patriot missiles are expected to be set up in southeastern Turkey, facing skywards. The sophisticated weapon systems are to deter possible missile attacks by Syria towards NATO ally, Turkey. The Germans are stationed in Kahramanmaras, the Dutch in the Mediterranean city of Adana and US troops in Gaziantep. Major cities like Diyarbakir or Batman lie outside the protection zone. The six patriot missiles will not suffice to effectively protect the 900 kilometer (560 miles) border with Syria.

German Air Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Markus Werther stressed in an interview with DW that the decision regarding the German forces’ location had been made within NATO’s framework. There was close cooperation between all countries involved, he said.

“Together with our partners, the Netherlands, the USA and Turkey, Germany decided to go to Kahramanmaras,” Werther added. On January 8th, 2013, the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, began shipping the missiles.

Turkish soldiers patrol in the Turkish town of Ceylanpinar near the strategic Syrian border town of Ras al-Ain on November 14, 2012. (Photo. BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) The situation on the Turkish-Syrian border has been tense for months

Patriot stationing a symbolic act

The missiles, with a range of 68 kilometers, are only able to protect a few cities in the south of the country. Michael Brtoska, Scientific Director of the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg, sees the missile defense as a largely symbolic act.

“The protection the missiles can theoretically offer against attacks from Syria is limited to small areas,” he explained.

Large population centers do come within the protective zone. But more extensive protection is not possible with existing resources, Brzoska added.

NATO patriot missiles have been stationed in Turkey before – during the Iraq wars in 1991 and 2003. When five people of Turkish nationality were killed in grenade attacks from the Syrian border in October 2012, Ankara called on NATO for support again. In early December 2012, the alliance gave its green light for the mission. Turkish media reported that Ankara had initially hoped for 18 to 20 systems along its southern border. But that would have meant that a considerable part of all existing patriot entities would have been deployed. Germany, the US and the Netherlands eventually offered to set up two systems each.

Impossible to monitor no-fly-area

Apart from threat analyses and logistical factors, the defensive character of the mission was a decisive factor when it came to choosing the location.

“Most NATO member states were extremely concerned that the patriot missiles could also be used to target planes in the Syrian airspace,” said Brzoska.

In early December, the German government stressed that the goal of the mission was not to set up or monitor a no-fly area above Syrian territory. NATO, which has the command for the mission, also confirmed the mission’s defensive character. Kahramanmaras and Adana are both 100 kilometers away from the border – too far to reach Syria. Similarly, if a US rocket was to be launched from Gaziantep, it would hardly reach Turkey’s neighbor in the south.

Under motorcycle escort at the break of dawn Dutch Patriot defence missiles are transported from their base to the Eems harbor in Groningen. (Photo: EPA/Evert-Jan Daniels pixel) Patriot missiles on their way to Turkey in early January

But the defense missiles can strengthen Turkish air raid defense systems.

“In the unlikely case of Syria attempting to enter Turkish airspace with planes or even intermediate-range missiles, Turkish air raids alone would hardly be in a position to prevent that from happening,” Brzoska explained.

Intermediate-range missiles in particular would overwhelm Turkish systems. The Syrian army has both intermediate-range missiles and chemical weapons. Neighboring countries are concerned that the government in Damascus could use these weapons as a last resort if threatened with defeat in the Syrian civil war.

Ready within seconds after missile attack

In the worst-case scenario, the patriot missiles could react instantly to approaching missiles, planes or drones. The airspace is monitored around the clock, said Lieutenant Colonel Werther. “In case of attack, which is still highly unlikely, the weapon system would stand ready for action within seconds,” he added.

Brzoska sees no reason for the government in Damascus to launch attacks on Turkey. Under the conditions of the current mandate, he said, the risk for German soldiers to be involved in combat action is low.

“Chances are very high that the soldiers are looking at a quiet time there,” Brzoska noted.

via NATO sets up missile defense shield in Turkey | World | DW.DE | 20.01.2013.

January 21, 2013
Can Turkey Become ‘the China of Europe’?

Turkey’s ambitions to be among the top ten global economies by 2023 could mean that the rising star of the emerging market economies becomes “the China of Europe”, according to an economist and a prominent Turkish business woman.

Turkey’s economy was the fastest growing in Europe in 2011, growing 8.5 percent (the second fastest after China among major emerging market economies). But in 2012 Turkey, like China, experienced a slump in growth as the global economic slowdown adversely affected its exports and capital inflows.

After what has been seen as a “soft landing” for Turkey, growth is seen picking up in 2013 with the latest HSBC manufacturing PMI reaching a 14-month high in December as new orders and exports rebounded.

(Read More: A Decade-Long Ascent to Economic Power)

Indeed, while most of Europe struggles to achieve 1 percent growth, Turkey is expected to have 3.5 percent growth in 2013, the IMF said in recent forecasts.

But that’s not enough if Turkey wants to fulfil its economic ambitions, Guler Sabanci, chairman of Sabanci Holdings, one of the largest industrial and financial conglomerates in Turkey, told CNBC.

“Turkey needs minimum 6 percent growth,” the member of one of Turkey’s most prominent industrial dynasties, told CNBC Europe’s “Squawk Box.”

“We have these 2023 targets where we would like to be among the top ten economies in the world. In order to reach those targets we have to catch 6 percent average growth in the medium to long-term,” she said.

Lofty Goals?

The “2023 Vision” is the name of a series of goals that Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan envisages for his country in ten years, with ongoing economic, social and infrastructure improvements making up the Republic’s aims.

By 2023, Turkey aims to achieve a gross domestic product of $2 trillion from $775 billion in 2012. It also hopes to make social improvements to achieve a per capita income of $25,000 by 2023 and reduce unemployment to 5 percent.

In 2012, the per capita income was $10,524 and unemployment was 9.8 percent, according to the World Bank.

Turkey also hopes to have 30 million people in the workforce by 2023 from 22.3 million currently.

“There is a lot of room for growth,” Sabanci told CNBC. “2013 is an important year for Turkey, we’re having serious infrastructure investments and logistic investments, there are serious opportunities,” she added.

Turkey Must Concentrate

“It’s a domestic consumption story, but it does need to move on,” emerging market economist at Nomura, Peter Attard Montalto, told CNBC. “Like all emerging markets, that next progression is towards taking the wealth, building the infrastructure and continuing to progress. I think Turkey is at that point.”

Apart from the country’s economic ambitions, Turkey has also been compared with China because of the rise of demand for mobile technology, e-commerce and communications.

“It has a very big attraction among the young generation, all the internet and cellphone usage numbers are high,” Sabanci told CNBC.

(Read More: Big Opportunities in Turkey’s Digital Market)

As the gateway between Asia and Europe, domestic consumption and consumer trends in the secularised but nominally Muslim country have been increasingly influenced by its western neighbors over recent years.

Take for example the traditional Turkish alcoholic drink called Raki. Consumption of the national drink has fallen 50 percent in the last 13 years as consumers have diversified to Western alcoholic beverages. That’s been a huge opportunity for global brands, such as Unilever and Diageo (which acquired Turkey’s leading spirits company Mey Icki in 2011).

Turkey’s Journey to Europe

Turkey has been seeking membership to the European Union (EU) in the face of some tough opposition within Europe.

Sabanci said Turkey’s “journey to Europe” has been a 50-year one and accession discussions must continue. After becoming an associate member of the European Economic Community in 1963, Turkey has enjoyed good trade relations with its continental neighbor, Europe.

Talks over the country’s accession to the EU began in 2005 on the condition that Turkey embark on a series of economic and political reforms and a normalization of trade relations with Cyprus, which it has done.

However, talks were stymied by then-French president Nikolas Sarkozy who objected to Turkey becoming a full member or Europe, offering a “special partnership” instead.

Turkey refused the offer but has since gone through a rapprochement with the EU and has started negotiations again.

via Can Turkey Become ‘the China of Europe’?.

January 21, 2013