Category: America

US to offer Turkey peace process…

By JPOST.COM STAFF

06/03/2011 21:08

Ankara would host peace summit in exchange for restoring relations with Jerusalem, preventing upcoming flotilla, ‘Today’s Zaman’ reports.

The 'Mavi Marmara' Photo by: Reuters/Emrah Dalkaya

The Obama Administration may soon present the Turkish government with a proposition to stop the upcoming flotilla to Gaza and restore relations between Ankara and Jerusalem, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman reported on Friday.

The offer, first reported by Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, would involve Ankara hosting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, according to the report. The White House is expected to soon officially make the offer to Turkey.

Talks, which have been stalled since late last year after Palestinians demanded Israel extend a freeze of West Bank settlement building, would be resumed in Turkey following the model of the Madrid conference or the secret Oslo talks that followed in the early 1990s, Today’s Zaman reported.

Israel has been making great diplomatic efforts in recent weeks to pressure Turkey to stop a repeat of the Gaza flotilla that took place just over one year ago. Nine Turkish nationals were killed by Israeli commandos who boarded one of the six ships that attempted to break Israel’s blockade of the Strip. Another flotilla is expected to head for the Gaza Strip later this month.

Ankara, while reportedly warning its citizens of the dangers in making the sea voyage to Gaza, has said that it cannot prevent private citizens from making the journey. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu last month issued a warning to Israel, saying it should “not repeat the human tragedy it caused last year,” adding that Ankara would undertake “the necessary response to any repeated act of provocation by Israel on the high seas,” AFP reported.

On Thursday, Davutoglu issued a harsh response to international calls to stop flotilla participants from attempting to break the Israeli blockade. “Sometimes the international community has no courage to warn Israel,” the Turkish foreign minister said, adding that instead of warning Turkey, Israel should be receiving warnings about the flotilla, Today’s Zaman reported.

Davutoglu noted that like last year’s flotilla, whose participants hailed from a number of countries other than Turkey, the upcoming blockade-busting flotilla will include many international participants. In democratic societies, he added, governments cannot intervene to stop the work of civil society organizations, according to the report.

Amplifying up his rhetoric, a recent trend understood in Israel to be intended for domestic consumption ahead of upcoming elections, Davutoglu alleged that even the framing of eroded relations between Israel and Turkey as “bilateral tension” is merely an attempt “to cover up a crime against humanity,” Today’s Zaman reported.

Officials in Jerusalem in recent weeks, have been turning a deaf ear to Davutoglu’s anti-Israel rants because it does not want to play a role in the Turkish elections on June 12, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

Much of Israel’s recent diplomatic activity is aimed at creating a more understanding diplomatic environment if the navy has to once again stop the flotilla.

Jerusalem has made clear that it will enforce the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz told the Knesset on Tuesday that Israel was prepared for the new flotilla. “The IDF learned the lessons of the [Mavi Marmara],” Gantz told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. “The IDF will act to prevent any attempt to break the naval blockade.”

The navy has been conducting training exercises in recent weeks in conjunction with the air force in line with the lessons learned from last year’s flotilla. Members of the Israel Police and the Prisons Service, who specialize in quelling civilian violence, will participate in the operation to stop the flotilla together with the commandos from Navy Flotilla 13, better known as the Shayetet.

A senior navy officer said Israel was preparing a number of “surprises” for the ships that are expected to participate in the flotilla.

He said soldiers were under order to use force to “neutralize” armed protesters and attackers if necessary, but that the goal would be to take over the ships nonviolently and without casualties on either side.

Herb Keinon and Yaakov Katz contributed to this report.

via ‘US to offer Turkey peace process… JPost – Diplomacy & Politics.

June 4, 2011
Health and Dental Tourism: What’s Happening in Hungary, Turkey & Oklahoma?

In Hungary, the dental tourism profits reach a stunning 227 million Euros annually, which means that the country has got as much as 40% share of the entire European tourism market. However, Hungary sets the stakes even higher, and wants to achieve a figure two times higher in the following three years.

According to the statement of Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister, dental tourism is what will set the economy of the country back on track. There will be made huge investments in the dental care field, in order to be abler to offer even higher standard care for the patients that choose Hungary as their primary spot. Moreover, Hungarian dentists are going to be kept at home by being offered incentives.

On the other hand, Turkey has also become quite a favored dental tourism spot by foreign patients. Even medical and dental tourists from the US are traveling to Turkey for quality and cheap dental care.

Between the years 2010 and 2014 there is estimated an increase of 26% in the field of medical & dental tourism on the market of Turkey. The government is spending a lot of money on marketing purposes for the country, while the costs of these medical services are indeed low but of high quality. In the private sector, there are also made some hefty investments, which will attract even more patients to the dental offices from Turkey. US medical travelers are also attracted by the country because Turkish hospitals have affiliations with several reputable American hospitals, such as John Hopkins or Harvard.

The state of Oklahoma is becoming a more and more favored medical spot for oncology patients. There are offered proton therapy treatments which are available in very few regions across the US, and this fact will attract even more patients that need qualitative care in the field of cancerous diseases.

In Costa Rica, things go from “dormant” to “robust” extremely quickly. While a few years ago, Costa Rica has been a popular medical tourist spot only for cosmetic surgery, now the country has developed a very strong healthcare system. Now, more and more medical tourists seek high quality care in fields such as oncology, cardiology, spinal cord surgery or orthopedics- because the prices are lower, and the quality of care extremely professional.

If we have a look at the rest of the Latin America, we’ll notice a change in better as well. A couple of years ago, in Mexico or the Central Americas, there did not exist internationally accredited health facilities. Today, there are 14 Latin American health facilities operating, which have received their accreditation from the same commissions that offer accreditation to the famous US hospitals.

The facilities are spread throughout Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico – but following closely behind are El Salvador and Panama as well.

According to Ian Youngman, researcher and writer who specializes in health care issues and health insurance in general, the fate of the medical and dental travel will go from global to local. Increasing costs for gas, accommodation, plus paying for treatments, will have patients choosing health facilities that are in the nearby of their location (US citizens seeking care within US, while Europeans will be traveling to countries within Europe).

via Health and Dental Tourism: What’s Happening in Hungary, Turkey & Oklahoma? – Dental Health Magazine.

June 2, 2011
Export Development Canada opens permanent representation in Istanbul, Turkey

ISTANBUL, May 31, 2011 /CNW/ – Export Development Canada (EDC) today officially opened a permanent representation in Istanbul, Turkey, to further the growing trade between Canada and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

“EDC will be looking to advance Canada’s expertise in sectors such as power generation, infrastructure and green technologies, including water treatment, as key areas of growth that match up well with the needs of the Eastern Mediterranean region,” said Benoit Daignault, Senior Vice-President, International Business Development, EDC, who is in Istanbul for the opening ceremonies.

“EDC has seen a direct and immediate result in expanding Canadian supply and products in areas where it has representation, and we are confident that Canadian companies will bring great benefits to companies in Turkey, the Balkans and the Caucasus, whether they are looking for a supply chain partner or making an investment in Canada.”

Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and the Eastern Mediterranean region totaled CAD 1.56 billion in 2010, having risen steadily from the 2006 level of CAD 709 million.

In 2010, EDC provided financial solutions for 433 Canadian firms doing business in the region, facilitating more than CAD 1.3 billion of trade with Turkey in 2010 and close to CAD 2 billion in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Burak Aktas will be EDC’s new permanent representative for the region, based in Istanbul, Turkey, where he will lead EDC’s business development strategy. Countries supported by EDC’s new representation include: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Israel and Turkey.

“As the recovery struggles to take hold, there are many companies with creditworthy transactions and lucrative opportunities in the region, and with more than CAD 2 billion in direct Canadian investment into the region since 2000, there is a strong trend towards long-term commitments by Canadian companies to these markets,” Mr. Aktas said.

Mr. Aktas has been working in the market since 2007 as a Regional Manager, supporting the region from EDC’s head office in Ottawa. He joined EDC in May 2001 as a Financial Services Manager on the Financial Institutions Team, responsible for a banking partner portfolio including Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, Société Générale, ICICI Bank Canada, State Bank of India, and National City Bank.

Prior to joining EDC, Mr. Aktas worked at the Sabanci Group in Turkey as an export manager, responsible for Southeast Europe and Israel. He also worked at World Learning in Washington, D.C., as an Exchange Program Intern in the Financial Reporting Department and as a Financial Auditor, specialized in the oil and gas sector at Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Mr. Aktas obtained an MBA (International Business) from the University of Ottawa and an Economics degree from the University of Istanbul.

Istanbul joins Dusseldorf, Mumbai, New Delhi, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Santiago, Lima, Panama, Mexico City, and Monterrey as a site of EDC representation.

EDC is Canada’s export credit agency, offering innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC’s knowledge and partnerships are used by more than 8,200 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year. EDC is financially self-sustaining and a recognized leader in financial reporting and economic analysis.

For further information:

Media contact:

Phil Taylor

Export Development Canada

Blackberry: [email protected]

Burak Aktas

Blackberry: [email protected]

via EXPORT DEVELOPMENT CANADA | Export Development Canada opens permanent representation in Istanbul, Turkey.

June 1, 2011
Istanbulive III: Sounds of Civilizations

“The Turkish Woodstock”
Celebrating its third year, Istanbulive is an increasingly popular all-day showcase of Turkish music. This milestone event takes place every year outdoors in Central Park in New York during the summer at the 6,000-capacity Rumsey Playfield. Istanbulive brings together one of the largest-ever assemblies of musicians from Turkey on an American stage and presents the most diverse live music the nation has to offer. With over 12,000 attendees combined in 2009 and 2010, it continues to be the most prominent introduction of Turkish Music to the US. It is held as part ofSummerStage, an annual, free performing arts summer festival founded in 1986. Istanbulive III is supported by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism as part of its ongoing efforts to promote Turkey as a destination country.

Istanbulive launched in 2009 with an all-star show featuring Mazhar Fuat Özkan, Sertab Erener, Demir Demirkan, Hüsnü Şenlendirici with NY Gypsy All-Stars and special guests Vassilis Saleas (Greece), Brooklyn Funk Essentials (US) and Christiane Karam. The second edition of Istanbulive coincided with Istanbul being officially hailed as the European Capital of Culture in 2010 and featured Kenan Doğulu (with 12 piece live band), Duman, Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Session, Şükriye Tutkun, DJ Ozan Doğulu, Emrah Kanısıcak and the Collage Dance Ensemble. Istanbulive III will present a special 40th anniversary concert withZülfü Livaneli, maNga and special guests on June 17, 2011.

Istanbulive is produced and presented by Serdar Ilhan & Mehmet Dede. Veterans of the New York concert and international music scene, the duo have presented a broad cross-section of top quality world music concerts at prestigious venues in NYC including Symphony Space, The Town Hall and Lincoln Center since the 1990s. Collectively, they have over 30 years of experience in the music business, have produced hundreds of events and continue to present the annual NY Gypsy Festival, now in its seventh year. Most recently they have re-launched Lower East Side club Drom and run the 300 people capacity downtown music hall year round.

http://www.istanbulive.org

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June 1, 2011
America Fetes Muslim Civilization

WASHINGTON, 25 Jumada 2/May 28 (IINA)-In a fresh outreach bid by the Obama administration to the Muslim world, US Secretary of State has launched an exhibition on achievements of the Muslim civilization through ages.

The 1001 Inventions “honors the remarkable accomplishments of Muslims throughout history,” Clinton said in her pre-recorded message posted on the State Department’s website.

The exhibition, which has attracted more than one million over the past year, is set to open Friday, May 27, at the California Science Center in Los Angeles for a seven-month run.

Clinton said the exhibition is aiming at “celebrating a millennium of science and innovation in the Muslim world.”

The “Muslim world has a proud history of innovators,” Clinton said, citing the achievements of prominent Muslim figures like Fatima Al-Fihri who founded the world’s first modern university in the ninth century.

She also praised 13th century mechanical engineer Al-Jazari whose theories on crank mechanisms were helpful in driving every plane, train and automobile in the world nowadays.

Clinton also cited Iraqi physician Ali Ibn Nafi who is also credited for inventing the diagram of the human circulatory system in 1242 CE and being the first to have accurately described the part of the cardiovascular system involving the heart and lungs.

Originally funded by the British government and launched in the United Kingdom in 2006, the “1001 Inventions” exhibition is on a five-year global tour, which has already taken it to London, Istanbul and New York.

The “1001 Inventions” exhibition highlights contributions by Muslim scholars to the development of astronomy, math, architecture, medicine and engineering.

It features exhibits spanning Muslin thinkers in different fields of medicine, optics, mathematics, astronomy, higher education, library science, personal hygiene and even the basics of aviation.

It also shows the works of some of history’s finest scientists and scholars who once extended from Spain to China and lightened the world from the seventh century.

For example, at the 13th-century observatory in Maragha, Iran, astrologists developed new models for understanding the universe which helped pave the way for Copernicus’ ideas of a sun-centered solar system in 1543.

Organizers say the exhibition’s new tour aims to show the world the contributions of the Golden Age of Muslim Civilizations in different fields of science.

“We’re honored that Secretary Clinton agreed to launch our exhibition here at one of the most prestigious science museums in the world,” Salim Al-Hassani, Chairman of 1001 Inventions, said in a press release.

“The goal of 1001 Inventions is to highlight the astounding contribution that Muslim civilization has made in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and how those advances still affect our lives today.”

Hassani said the massive turnout at the exhibition reflects a growing interest in the Islamic civilization and its achievements throughout history.

“More than a million people have already visited the 1001 Inventions exhibition during the first year of its global tour and that is the greatest endorsement we could ever hope for,” he added.

The exhibition was recently awarded the “Best Touring Exhibition” of the year at the annual Museums and Heritage Excellence Awards in London, widely considered as the “Oscars” of the Museum world.

The United States is home to an estimated Muslim minority of nearly eight million.

AH/IINA

via USA/Islam: America Fetes Muslim Civilization.

May 29, 2011
Colombia to launch free trade talks with Turkey

By Dan Molinski

BOGOTA -(MarketWatch)- Colombia begins free trade talks with Turkey next week as the South American nation moves to broaden its ties around the world given that hopes for a free trade deal with the U.S. remain in doubt.

A statement Friday from Colombia’s Trade Ministry said first-round talks with Turkey will take place all next week in Bogota starting Monday, with two more rounds of talks planned for July and September. The statement didn’t indicate when a final deal may be reached.

Trade between Colombia and Turkey is small, with just $271 million worth of goods switching hands. Colombia exported $214 million of products to Turkey, with coal accounting for much of that. Turkey sent Colombia $57 million in goods, including artillery parts, auto parts and textiles.

Colombia for years has been vying for a permanent free trade agreement with the U.S., its main trading partner, but Washington has so far failed to give any deal final approval. It seemed until a few weeks ago that a Colombia-U.S. trade pact would finally be sealed, but then the Obama administration said no deal will happen unless Republican lawmakers give some ground on worker benefits.

President Juan Manuel Santos said in early 2011 that if a deal with the U.S. isn’t formalized soon, Colombia will give up trying, and that in the meantime his government will continue pursuing other trade deals around the globe.

Santos said the trade talks with Turkey are part of a broader effort to increase ties with other nations that form the so-called CIVETS group, an acronym for Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa.

via Colombia to launch free trade talks with Turkey – MarketWatch.

May 28, 2011