NEWS SCAN for Turkey – April 21st, 2013
Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.
BDP deputy Önder says PKK withdrawal may start in eight to 10 days
“Preparations are being made for the withdrawal of (PKK) militants from Turkish soil within the framework of PEACE PROCESS and the operation may start in 8-10 days” as reported by ÖNDER, an Istanbul deputy from Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). The statement was made in an interview in which ÖNDER also said all the fractions constituting the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK – the alleged urban wing of the PKK) were determined to put Öcalan’s proposition into practice”.
Önder has been included in the parliamentary delegations carrying letters between the PKK’s jailed leader Abdullah Öcalan and the organization’s military headquarters in the Kandil Mountains of northern Iraq.
Turkey plans to provide health services to about 1 billion people in own geography
Turkish Health Minister Muezzinoglu who is in Houston met with representatives of the Turkish community living in Houston and US health investors. In the meeting held at the Raindrop Turkish Culture Center the Minister provided information on Turkey’s health system to US investors and answered questions. The Minister also stated Turkey was determined to render health services to about 1 billion people in its region.
At the meeting, Turkey’s services for the Syrian refugees was praised by US Congress Member Al Green who said he was pleased to see Turkey’s hospitality to the Syrians.
Turkish deputy pm attends G-20 and IMF meetings
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan who attended G-20 and IMF meetings made a statement saying there had been difference among opinions of participants in G-20 meetings.
Babacan commented on the G-20 and IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings held in Washington and said “While the possibility of a total collapse in global economy has gone down, there is still no concrete result on how to overcome the crisis in the medium and long run. There is a certain amount of uncertainty of direction associated with big economies. I noticed that the decisions taken in previous meetings had caused a little relaxation in Washington. This situation is of concern to us.” Babacan also emphasized 2013 would be a year of uncertainties.
Minister says trade volume of USD 100 billion between Turkey and Russia possible
Energy Minister Taner YILDIZ made a statement saying it was possible for Turkey and Russia to reach a trade volume of $100 billion as set forth by leaders of two countries. At present this figure stands at USD 34 billion.
The Minister spoke at the Turkey- Russia Joint Economic Committee meeting held in the southern province of Antalya with participation of Russian Minister of Energy Aleksander Novak on which occasion the two ministers signed the JEC protocol. YILDIZ also underlined many issues from energy to transportation and from agriculture to industry were discussed and Turkey would start sending agricultural products to Russia again, via Georgia to include fruits and vegetables as well as milk and milk products. Currently, while 1,500 Russian companies operate in Turkey, Turkish contractors are involved in projects worth USD 50 billion, in Russia.
It was also confirmed by the director of the Akkuyu nuclear plant, Alexander Superfim, that work on the plant would be finished on time. The plant is currently scheduled to be completed in 2019.
Turkey receives criticism in US human rights report regarding its judicial system
In its report released on April 19 The U.S. State Department is reported to have expressed criticism on the human rights situation in Turkey. In the same report attention was drawn to the progress made by Turkey in the field of cultural rights. The report underlined that the main problems that Turkey faced on the human rights agenda were deficiencies in access to justice and government interference with freedom of expression. It was also mentioned in the report that the Turkish government had failed to protect “vulnerable populations” adequately and violence against women also remained a critical issue, despite progress made with a new domestic violence law.
Regarding the report Foreign Secretary Kerry emphasized that the U.S. administration was committed to voicing its concerns on human rights about any country in the world saying “These reports are thorough, they’re honest. And they need to be, because our policies are grounded in a clear-eyed assessment of governments as they are, not how they want to be or how they pretend to be”.
Turkish conglomerate sells DiaSA to exit food retail sector
Sabancı Holding which is among top 2 conglomerates in Turkey has finally sold its shares in DiaSA, Discount supermarket chain and left the sector has more than 1,200 branches in Turkey. Spanish supermarket group Dia, which owns a 60 percent stake in DiaSA, said April 19 that it had agreed to sell its Turkish business to Yıldız Holding. It is reported tha Yıldız Holding will pay 136.5 million euros ($179 million) for the whole business.
Sabancı group is negotiating to sell its stake in CarrefourSA as well and is reported to be quite close to reaching an agreement. Sabancı has revealed that they have been unsatisfied with Carrefour’s operations in Turkey over the last five years.
Turkey and Kuwait target more mutual business
Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek met with Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce & Industry Anas al-Khalid al-Salih over a working breakfast as part of the council in Istanbul, before attending the Turkish-Kuwaiti Business, on April 19th. The two ministers discussed prospects of a closer cooperation in energy and business fields. Turkey with a fast growing energy demand is known to be interested in working closer with Kuwait, one of the major energy suppliers over the globe. Kuwait on the other hand has an appetite for the rising investment fields in Turkey, to include health and banking sectors.
21.04.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.
