NEWS SCAN for Turkey – May 27th, 2013
Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.
Deputy PM Bozdağ directs directed harsh criticism at Hezbullah
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ has said Iran-based militant group Hezbollah should change its name to ‘Hezb-evil as it has declared jihad (Islamic war) against innocent women, children, and old people.
During a speech at the 6th International Risale-i Nur and Islamic Unity Symposium in Ankara Bozdağ said “In Arabic, “Hezbollah” means “Party of God. They call themselves Hezbollah but they declare jihad against innocent women, children, and old people … Isn’t it nonsense? They should change their name name to Hezb-evil”.
Sudan Minister requestsTurkey to establish pharmaceutical plant in his country
Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Taner YILDIZ met with Minister of Finance Rasoul during his visit to Sudan.
Rasoul, said that they were ready to extend support to Turkish investors who were willing to set up a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan. The Minister added that the plant could be jointly established by Turkish and Sudanese private sector, or jointly by Sudanese state and they would provide support in tax and customs exemption.
YILDIZ said that the supports and incentives to be provided by Sudan would encourage Turkish investors and Turkey would like to support Sudan for all kind of investments like agriculture, pharmaceutical and health.
Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) upgrades Turkey’s credit rating by two notches
It is reported that Turkey has received ‘investment grade’ rating from JCR after which the country’s credit rating has gone up by two notches
The Japanese agency has lifted the country’s rating to BBB from BB and praised Turkey’s successful handling of economic hardships and uncertainties originating from abroad such as the European debt crisis and the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
A short while ago Moody’s Investors Service had upgraded Turkey’s government-bond ratings to Baa3 (investment grade) from Ba1.
S&P says “small decrease expected in Turkey’s external fragility”
Zeynep Holmes, Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Regional Ratings General Manager for Turkey answered questions in an interview and said that S&P expected a small decrease in the country’s external fragility.
S&P in spite of recent credit rating upgrades Turkey has received from several agencies has been keeping Turkey’s credit rate one grade under the “investable” level.
In reply to questions forwarded Holmes referred to S&P’s probability of upgrading Turkey’s credit rating to “investable” in the next term and said “according to our criteria, there are several points which do not match. The problem of current account deficit is not just itself, yet its financing, a problem as well. We expect a decrease in the external fragility.”
Turkey determined to insist on reasonable visa conditions to EU
Turkey has been long complaining about Turkish business people keep facing to obtain visa for their visits to EU countries.
It is now reported that in a meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council, the highest decision-making body for relations between the EU and Turkey, in Brussels on Monday Turkey will seek assurances for what Ankara refers to as “acceptable and reasonable” roadmap for visa liberalization talks.
In the meeting Turkey is supposed to ask the EU to come up with a technical plan that would not be open to political manipulation by some member states.
27.05.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.
