NEWS SCAN for Turkey – June 29th, 2013
Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.
Energy Minister Taner Yıldız says selection of TAP over Nabucco makes no difference to Turkey
Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said on Friday that the selection of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) over Nabucco, another proposed pipeline project, to transport natural gas from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz II field across Turkey to European markets makes no significance difference to Turkey as the deal only determined if the gas will go to Central Europe or southern Europe.
Yıldız further commented that TAP officials have proposed that Turkey become a shareholder, an offer which the government will evaluate. “We also plan to hold talks with countries in the Nabucco project as the European Union needs to complete four more pipeline projects by 2030 to meet its gas needs. By 2030, the gas needs of Europe will be around 700 billion cubic meters and the current projects will not be able to carry sufficient gas to meet the needs. More projects are certainly needed.”
Yıldız also said that being included in one project does not mean giving up on other projects from Turkey’s stance. “All we want is to lessen the burden of energy costs on us,” he expressed.
Greenpeace hits out at ‘foreign plot’ conspiracies
The Greenpeace head says democratization demands overlapped with environmental concerns for the first time during the Gezi protests. He also criticizes Turkish prime minister’s seeing of foreign plots behind the rallies
The Gezi protests, which triggered clashes between demonstrators and police, are still continuing with relatively peaceful rallies in many cities across Turkey.
Demands for democratization have for the first time overlapped with demands for environmentally sensitive policies, during the mass demonstrations that have shaken the country in the course of the last two weeks, according to the head of Greenpeace. Kumi Naidoo also hit out at the government’s portrayal of the protests as part of an “international conspiracy.”
Turkish FM Davutoglu calls EU full membership process “Road of No Return”
Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu who spoke to German Focus magazine defined Turkey’s European Union (EU) full membership process as a road of no return.
Davutoglu said Turkey wanted support from Germany for EU process and added “There is a special relation between Turkey and Germany.”
Davıtoğlu reminded that Turkish democracy was not second class” and stated that the country had the necessary structures such as supremacy of law or participation to solve the problems with dialogue. The Minister also emphasized that EU membership still had a strategic importance for Turkey, and added “Turkey’s EU process is a road of no return.”
One person killed and nine injured due to scuffle in southeast Turkey.
Turkish Interior Ministry stated that one person was killed and nine people were injured during a scuffle against new military guard post in southeast Turkey and a legal investigation regarding the case was conducted by public prosecutor of Diyarbakir.
Interior Ministry also stated, “two civil service investigators with two gendarmery general command investigators, who were in charge to examine the case thoroughly and to make necessary researches, have been sent to the region”.
The legal investigation regarding the case was conducted by public prosecuter of Diyarbakir.
A group demanded the construction work be halted, which started a few months ago to expand the military post. After that the group attacked the post with molotov bombs, demolishing the work site where workers were staying. The group went into the post attacking with stones. Gendarmery forces intervened in the group by using tear gas. Seven people were injured in the incidents. Crime scene investigators and the intelligence service have been investigating the attack.
Toyota Boshoku opens new plant in Turkey
Toyota Boshoku, a supplier of automotive interiors operating under the Toyota Group of Japan , has commissioned a new production plant in Turkey. The third Toyota Boshoku Sewtech factory in the country’s northwestern province of Duzce will manufacture seat covers and other interior components for vehicles. The company first established a plant in Adapazari, Sakarya in 1997, followed by a second facility in 2007.
“The opening of this plant is our contribution to further fostering the Turkish-Japanese ties.”, Toyota Boshoku Turkey head, Kenji Hirota, said at the opening ceremony, stating that the plant would work towards making the quality branding of “Made in Turkey” known all over Europe. Toyota Turkey CEO, Orhan Ozer, also present at the opening, said that Toyota’s automotive production in the country, which has been going on for 19 years, was instrumental in bringing in investments by supplier companies. “This new plant will compete with European manufacturers.”, Ozer said, adding that 180 new jobs were created with the plant.
Manufacturing sedans, hatchbacks and family saloons since 1994, Toyota Turkey will start manufacturing the new Corolla at its plant in Adapazari, Sakarya in the coming days for an export market of over 50 countries.
29.06.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.
