NEWS SCAN for Turkey – May 21st, 2013
Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.
Some opinion leaders say Turkish PM couldn’t meet his expectations on Syria from US visit
According to some opinion leaders Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did not get what he was hoping for on the Syria issue from his meeting with President Obama at the White House on May 16.
They maintain that the most significant message from Erdoğan’s visit was that the U.S. did not have any intention of conducting a military operation in Syria to get rid of the Bashar al-Assad regime. They also add it is clearly understood that The United States has no intention of any military operation to topple ASSAD and if this was of priority among Erdoğan’s expectations then he must have been disappointed.
Moreover it is also expressed that the Syrian crisis has shown Turkey’s insufficiency in solving crises in the region on its own.
Balloon crash scandal in touristic Cappadocia, Turkey
It is reported that three Brazilian tourists have been killed and more than 20 other people injured after two hot-air balloons collided in Turkey.
According to witnesses, one ascending balloon was torn open as it hit the basket of another, and then plunged to the ground. The accident happened in Cappadocia, a region popular with tourists for its spectacular volcanic rock formations and balloon rides.
Among the questions expected to be considered is whether too many balloons are taking to the skies in Cappadocia, some 300 kilometres (190 miles) from the Turkish capital, Ankara. One tourist was reported saying the skies were crowded, and about 100 balloons had taken off early on Monday morning.
Does PM Erdoğan target to force the parliament to produce a draft soon?
Some politicians and political experts believe the statement made by the prime minister that Turkey may go to the ballot box three times in 2014 may be a tactical move to force the parliamentary commission tasked with drafting a new constitution to successfully conclude its efforts soon,
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had said over the weekend that Turkey may see three elections next year — local elections, presidential elections and a referendum on a new constitution — should the efforts by the four political parties represented in Parliament to write a new constitution fail to bear fruit in the coming months.
$4.3 billion refinery deal signed by Azeri and Spanish groups
$4.8 billion worth Star facility is going to be built on İzmir’s Petkim peninsula on the Aegean coast, by SOCAR Turkey and a consortium led by Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas.
Socar Turkey, which was founded by Azeri state-run energy company Socar to carry out its activities in Turkey in 2008.
The infrastructure and excavation work for the refinery had been started by the company after the groundbreaking ceremony attended by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azeri President İlham Aliyev in October 2011.
Turkish shipyards compete for the military ships contract
It is reported that 6 Turkish shipyards are expected to take a tough challenge to win the tender for the project of building two logistical support ships for the Navy. The project is said to be worth around $100 million.
Six following companies are reported to have submitted their bids so far; Anadolu Deniz Kizaklari Desan Deniz Insaat, Istanbul Denizcilik, Selah Makine ve Gemicilik, Tuzla Gemi and Turkter Tersane.
Earlier, Turkey’s procurement authorities had launched a competition to acquire two logistical support ships. Turkey’s procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), said the competition would be open only to local shipyards.
21.05.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.
