NEWS SCAN for Turkey – March 31st, 2013
Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.
Boyner says peace should be sustainable and involve democratization
Ümit Boyner, the former chairwoman of TUSIAD (Turkey’s leading business association has said “Reaching peace on Turkey’s thorny Kurdish issue is a stop along the longer path of democratization and this time it appears that there is a bigger possibility of peace than the previous cease-fire periods”. She also added “What’s important for me and Turkey is that this peace can be sustainable.”
Turkey’s Prime Minister says militants should lay down their arms before withdrawing
PM Erdoğan said in an interview that militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) withdraw from Turkey would have to lay down their arms before crossing the border, in order to prevent further confrontation. He added that around 1,500 to 2,000 PKK militants were in Turkish territory, as reported by security forces.
China & Turkey to improve commercial relations
Bilateral ties which were enhanced between China & Turkey during President Gül’s visit to this country in 2009 were further improved in 2012 by visits from both countries. Today the commercial ties between Turkey and China have improved to the point where Chinas is Turkey’s Turkey’s third-largest trading partner after Germany and Russia.
Why does PKK seek recognition by trying to involve Parliament in process?
Justice Minister Ergin said Parliament would not pass a law to ensure PKK safe withdrawal and this demand by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) for the involvement of Parliament in securing the withdrawal of terrorists from the country is most likely to be aimed at forcing the state to recognize the terrorist group as a “political actor.”
Number of Russian tourists to Turkey jumps after lifting of visa
The lifting of the mutual visa requirement between Russia and Turkey in 2011, has caused much happiness in the local tourism sector, with more than 6.8 million Russian tourists visiting Turkey since mobility was eased. It is also reported that Russian tourists prefer to visit Antalya most among other destinations.
Russian oligarchs to deposit their money in Turkey’s Denizbank
It is reported that After tax imposition on deposits in Greek Cypriot banks, Russian oligarchs may deposit their money in Turkey’s Denizbank, which was acquired by Russian Sberbank last year, the head of Denizbank has said. Sberbank had acquired its 99.85 percent stake in Denizbank for $3.5 billion last year.
Greek Cypriot FM calls on Ankara to make a joint first step
Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos has said positive messages should be conveyed between 2 countries and Turkey & Greek Cyprus should take the first step together. He also added that the Greek Cypriot government could not guarantee the reunification.
31.03.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.
