Turkish Forum

Category: Regions

  • Accession to EU could undermine Turkey’s sovereignty: Iran MP

    Accession to EU could undermine Turkey’s sovereignty: Iran MP

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    Turkey entered formal membership talks with the European Union in 2005.

    An Iranian lawmaker says Turkey should honor its own sovereignty and be aware about the ramifications of adopting submissive policies aimed at laying the groundwork for its accession to the European Union.

    Mansour Haqiqatpour, a member of Iran’s Majlis Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, said on Friday, “Turkey must not trade its sovereignty for membership in the European Union.”

    The Iranian lawmaker made the comment in reference to recent remarks by German Chancellor Angela Merkel about Turkey’s accession to the EU.

    In her last week visit to Turkey, Merkel called for resumption of negotiations for Ankara’s accession to the EU despite objections both within the German ruling party and in other European countries against Turkey’s membership.

    “Turkey must find its own indigenous model of development and it should not appeal for the West’s help for attaining progress, because that undermines the dignity of the Turkish nation,” Haqiqatpour said.

    “For years, the Turkish government has gone to any lengths by adopting numerous initiatives, applying constant changes to its economic laws and trying to adapt itself to the liberal-democracy culture.”

    “When the Europeans witness Turkey’s passion for accession to the EU, they easily impose any kind of law on the country which ensures the West’s interests and inflicts damage to the Turkish economy and culture,” the Iranian lawmaker pointed out.

    He alluded to the exacerbating economic crisis across the EU, including in Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy and said, “By witnessing the conditions of these countries, Turkey must conclude that membership in this bankrupt union will worsen the country’s condition instead of improving it.”

    An opinion poll conducted by the Turkish Bosforo University between December 15 and 17, 2012, showed that 59 percent of the people in Turkey do not agree with its membership in the EU.

    A similar opinion poll conducted in 2003 showed that 73 percent of the Turkish people welcomed the membership and only 27 percent of the respondents rejected the bid.

    Turkey, which straddles Asia and Europe, entered formal membership talks with the European Union in 2005, but reluctance among some EU states on the matter has slowed the process to a near standstill.

    ASH/HSN/MA

    via PressTV – Accession to EU could undermine Turkey’s sovereignty: Iran MP.

  • German defense minister vows to address troop ‘problems’ in Turkey

    German defense minister vows to address troop ‘problems’ in Turkey

    German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere has admitted that conditions could be better for Bundeswehr troops stationed in Turkey. After a report that was critical of the situation, the minister promised improvements.

    0,,16536170_303,00German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere admitted he had noted that there were issues to address while on a visit to the site where German soldiers are deployed.

    “Even though I tend to be shown the better side of how things are, I also perceived that there were certain problems,” de Maiziere told the German mass circulation daily Bild’s Saturday edition.

    De Maiziere stressed that the armed forces first had to ensure that they could fulfil their mission. At present, he said, the most important aspect was to improve troop conditions.

    Striking a diplomatic note, de Maiziere said that Turkey had gone to great lengths to provide good accommodation. He added that work on new quarters was being completed.

    “When this new accommodation is ready, a lot of things will change when it comes to the issues that have been brought up,” he said.

    DW.DE

    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. (24.01.2013)

    De Maiziere made the comments after a report by Germany’s special commissioner for the armed forces, Hellmut Königshaus, which said that cooperation between the German and Turkish contingents was “perceived mainly as a problem.”

    The report said that meals were monotonous and that usually there was only cold food. Toilets were described as “filthy,” most of them having no flush. The bodies of dead dogs, shot by the Turkish soldiers, had been left to decompose on the site.

    ‘No fraternization’

    Soldiers’ post was being held back so that it did not reach them for days, or even weeks, the document went on. Soldiers had to change euros in privately owned currency exchange offices, at poor rates.

    He said Turkish officials have reprimanded German soldiers for contact with their Turkish counterparts. One German female soldier was allegedly pushed by a Turkish general during a visit by de Maiziere to the base at Kahramanmaras. She later complained of bruising.

    De Maiziere made the visit in February with his Dutch counterpart Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaer. Kahramanmaras lies some 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the Syrian border, with some 300 German troops manning NATO-deployed anti-missile batteries.

    Germany, the Netherlands and the US are each operating two batteries to help protect Turkey from possible missiles launched in Syria.

    rc / ccp (AFP, dpa, Reuters)

    via German defense minister vows to address troop ‘problems’ in Turkey | News | DW.DE | 02.03.2013.

  • Community columnist: Hopes of a peaceful new year in Turkey

    Community columnist: Hopes of a peaceful new year in Turkey

    By LAYLA YOUNIS

    Community columnist Layla Younis.
    Community columnist Layla Younis.

    Imprisoned founder and leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party Abdullah Ocalan outlined a plan for party members to halt attacks in Turkey on March 21, the Kurdish and Persian new year celebration, according to The Associated Press. Ocalan’s proposal further would have his fighters withdraw from Turkey later this summer to their bases in northern Iraq.

    Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have been fighting for about 30 years, fighting that has led to the deaths of 40,000 people. However, the recent discussions between Turkey and Ocalan can lead to a peaceful Nowroz, as the new year celebration is called.

    Nowroz has usually led to conflict between Turks and Kurds. Such was the case last year, but this year, peace may finally come.

    Ocalan, even though in prison, still has authority over the PKK. In November, Ocalan asked political prisoners who were thought to be involved with PKK in Turkey to end a hunger strike. They ended their strike after the 68th day.

    The prisoners were asking for the right to speak Kurdish in the Turkish school system, the authorization of the Kurdish language in Turkish legal courts and an end to the solitary confinement of Ocalan.

    Ocalan reportedly demands that in exchange for withdrawal that Turkey would release hundreds of party activists from prison. He did not demand autonomy or a federation for Kurds.

    While Ocalan and Turkey have been considering peace talks for months, PKK co-founder Sakine Cansiz, along with two other women, was shot dead Jan. 10 in Paris. Fidan Dogan, a Kurdistan National Congress member, and Leyla Soylemez, a Kurdish activist, also were killed.

    The PKK is considered a terrorist organization to the United States and European Union, but Kurds living in France demonstrated against the killings when news of the three women’s death came out.

    Peace talks were thought to be derailed because of the situation in France, but Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc told NTV television that Ocalan sent letters to Kurdish political parties.

    Kurdish legislator Nazmi Gur confirmed to The Associated Press that legislators received Ocalan’s proposal but said this is just a draft of the peace proposal.

    “The ultimate version will take shape after input and proposals from the (Kurdish) party and others involved,” Gur said.

    As someone who was born in Kurdistan, the region in Iraq, and understands the Kurdish culture, I find the peace talks between Kurdistan and Turkey to be hopeful. But how long will this supposed peace actually last?

    The Turkish government or prime minister has not said anything about stopping Turkish attacks on the PKK, even though Ocalan has asked the PKK, in writing, to come to some sort of peace agreement.

    These peace talks might settle disputes during Nowroz, but relations between Turkey and Kurdistan might go straight back to how they were.

    Layla Younis, who was born in Kurdistan, Iraq, but raised in the United States, is an undergraduate student studying journalism and English.

    via Community columnist: Hopes of a peaceful new year in Turkey : Opinion.

  • Turkey Hails Iran’s Envoy for Strong, Constructive Activities

    Turkey Hails Iran’s Envoy for Strong, Constructive Activities

    Turkey Hails Iran’s Envoy for Strong, Constructive Activities

    A0871466TEHRAN (FNA)- Mayor of Turkey’s Northwestern city of Istanbul Kadir Topbas praised the activities of Iranian Consul-General in Istanbul Mahmoud Heidari, and called for the expansion of bilateral ties between the two friendly countries in all arenas.

    The issue was raised in the farewell ceremony of Herdari at the end of his diplomatic tenure in Istanbul as Iran’s consul-general on Friday.

    During the meeting, Topbas appreciated outgoing Iranian diplomat’s efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between two Muslim nations, and hoped for expansion of mutual cooperation between the two states.

    Iran and Turkey have in recent years increased their cooperation in all the various fields of economy, security, trade, education, energy and culture.

    Turkey’s crude imports from Iran leapt in March to 1.17 million tons, rejecting the speculations that Ankara has bowed to US pressures to curb oil trades with Tehran.

    The data was announced by Turkey’s census institute. The center reported that the country’s oil imports from Iran have hit a record in the 8 months before March.

    This is while the Turkish government had earlier promised the US that it would implement a maximum 20% decrease in oil imports from Iran to cooperate with Washington in imposing unilateral sanctions against Tehran.

    Meantime, Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz had earlier said that Ankara is resolved to continue oil imports from Iran despite the sanctions imposed on Iranian oil by the US and the European Union.

    The Turkish minister said in February that his country is only committed to the decisions made by the United Nations in this regard.

    The two sides have exchanged several politico-economic delegations during the last few months.

    Turkish President Abdullah Gul in a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in February underlined the need for the removal of obstacles to the further expansion of bilateral economic ties with Iran in a bid to boost trade cooperation between the two countries.

    “The level of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries does not suit the age-old ties of the two nations and we should remove the obstacles to the development of mutual cooperation between Iran and Turkey,” Gul said at the time.

    via Fars News Agency :: Turkey Hails Iran’s Envoy for Strong, Constructive Activities.

  • Istanbul mayor pays rich

    Istanbul mayor pays rich

    Istanbul mayor pays rich

    tribute to CM

    LAHORE: Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas said that the metro bus project has transformed the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey into a solid reality.

    In his letter, the Istanbul mayor, while paying rich tribute to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, expressed his belief that contrary to the past, instead of only words jugglery in the name of brotherly relations, “our ties will yield positive results in the future”. He said that Punjab would make bigger achievements than the metro bus project under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif and the hard work of his team in the future.

    Topbas said that the commitment and dynamic leadership displayed by the CM during the construction of the metro bus project would become an everlasting movement of exemplary cooperation between the people of both the countries. pr

    via Daily Times – Leading News Resource of Pakistan – Istanbul mayor pays rich.

  • Belarus’ Turkey Summit participation discussed in Istanbul

    Belarus’ Turkey Summit participation discussed in Istanbul

    Belarus’ Turkey Summit participation discussed in Istanbul
    01.03.2013 16:03
    MINSK, 1 March (BelTA) – Participation of a delegation from Belarus in the international summit Turkey World Trade Bridge 2013 was discussed in Istanbul on 28 February, BelTA learnt from the Embassy of Belarus in Turkey.

    The issue was considered as part of the talks held between Consul General Igor Bely and Deputy Secretary General of the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (Tuskon) Coskun Erten.

    The international summit Turkey World Trade Bridge 2013 highlighting the construction industry will be held in Istanbul in June.

    The World Trade Bridge first held by Tuskon in 2006 has gained great popularity and recognition in international business circles. For example, partaking in the 2012 Summit dedicated to the textile industry were over 1,000 businessmen from 130 countries, including private companies of Belarus, and about nearly 1,500 Turkish companies interested in developing international contacts.

    Mr Erten stressed Turkey’s interest in further development of business contacts between the two countries.

    The parties agreed to host the presentation of Belarus’ business potential at Tuscon.