NEWS SCAN for Turkey – May 28th, 2013
Down below you will find a summary of topics from major Turkish papers and internet sites.
The European Union agrees to lift embargo against arming Syrian rebels
It is reported that The European Union has agreed to lift its embargo against arming Syrian rebels, but it is also stated member states do not inend to send any arms in the coming months to avoid any negative impact on approaching US-Russia peace initiative on the issue.
Splits within the EU were observed during 12 hours of talks in Brussels and while Britain and France supported the lifting of the arms embargo, Austria, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic were reticent about pouring more arms into a conflict that has already cost some 94,000 lives.
Russia on the other hand declared on Tuesday that the European Union’s decision to lift its embargo against arming Syrian rebels but not the regime would cause direct harm for the prospects of holding a peace conference on the crisis.
US Senator John McCain pays surprise visit to Syria
The US media has reported that John McCain, an Arizona senator crossed over to Syria via Turkey on Monday to meet with dissident leaders in the country and returned back to Turkey after spending several hours in Syria.
Rachael Dean spokeswoman for the senatör whois known for his supports to arm Syrian opposition groups, confirmed the visit but did not give any details regarding it.
It is also reported that the senator was accompanies by Chief of the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) General Salem Idris during his meeting with opposition members.
Turkey rejects EU proposal to open ports to Greek Cypriot ships to accelerate negotiations
It is reported that Ankara has rejected a proposal from the European Union on accession negotiations and refused to open its ports to Greek Cypriot shipping in return for accelerated negotiations
The government has declared that there is no change in Turkey’s Cyprus stance and that Ankara does not see the Cyprus issue as a problem in the negotiation process with the EU.
On the other hand, Turkish FM Davutoğlu made some comments in a press conference at the meeting of the 51st EU-Turkey Association Council, attended by Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle, saying “more than one flower was necessary for spring, referring to the opening of only Chapter 22 on regional policy and the coordination of structural instruments”.
General Manager of Turkish Airlines says they want to be best airline in world in 2020
Temel KOTIL, Turkish Airlines general manager has said Turkish Airlines company aims to be the best airlines in the world at the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic in 2023.
It has been observed for a long while the company has taken giant steps towards becoming one of the most prestigious airline establishments in the world
Temel KOTIL has also added that his vision from the first day as the director general of THY has been to make the company which was established in 1923, the best airline. It is reported that THY has increased the number of passengers 20 percent compared to the previous year (2012) to 39 million with the aim of 46 million this year and to lift it up to 90 million in 2020.
Number of tourists visiting Turkey in 4 months reaches 6,6 million
Based on the reports released by The Ministry of Culture and Tourism the number of visiting tourists in Turkey has reached 6 million 665 thousand 379 in the first four months of the year.
When compared to figures from last year, an increase of 13 percent is observed. 137 thousand tourists out of the total of 2,451,031 are reported to be day trippers.
Said report for the first quarter of the 2013 fiscal year also indicates that the tourist count to Turkey has increased by 18.85% in comparison to last year. The first four months of the fiscal year recorded a 6 million 665 thousand 379 tourist count, 215 thousand 366 of which (3.23%) were day trippers visitors.
28.05.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
We do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.
