Deputy PM: $3 bln enters into Turkey in 25 days – January 27th 2012

I quote the article of Dünya English:

“$3 billion has entered into Turkey in 25 days, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan has said yesterday, speaking in the town of Davos where capitalism is questioned this year.

“We won’t allow economy to fall into recession,” Babacan said in a televised interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, adding that Turkey sees no need to change its growth forecasts.

“The net foreign currency totaling $5 billon entered into Turkey as from early August to the end of the year, during which the Central Bank has sold great amounts of foreign currency. The most important reasons for an increase in inflation over the last three-four months derive from an increase in exchange rate, high energy prices, as well as new regulations regarding import and flood disaster. These are not so related to the Central Bank’s monetary policy. These are one-shot things that cannot be fixed by the Central Bank. Thus, we are not concerned about one-shot inflation which is increased by temporary reasons. Other countries enviously admire the amount of our targeted budget. Turkey has neither budget deficit problem, nor public debt problem,” Babacan said.

Kemal Derviş, deputy chairman of the Brookings Institute has stated that he foresees a promising future for Turkey, adding that Turkey’s growth of 4 percent is a positive development.

“Turkey is on the way of more promising days. If Europe suffers a full collapse, Turkey will be affected by this. It is not possible to go ahead with such a high current deficit. It will be helpful to keep it around 5 percent. Unless extraordinary developments occur, Turkey might enjoy a soft landing,” Derviş said.”

Yours sincerely,

Cem

To start with, the religious leader of the Armenian-rooted Turkish citizens of Turkey stated recently (towards France) : Do not interfere with the matters between Turkey and Armenia.

But many French politicians decided to interfere owing to two reasons: to weaken Turkey and for short-term domestic political gains.

Now I do want to suggest that former post of mine:

http://turkey.blogactiv.eu/2011/03/02/daniel-hannan-the-eu-will-regret-its-dishonest-humiliating-treatment-of-turkey/

I quote myself:

“Several countries seem to have an amnesia or an allergy about their past but they have none about the one of Turkey.

These countries ought to look in the mirror before launching missiles of critics to Turkey from their desk.

Why so much obsession about Turkey? Why do so many journalists and politicians in the EU (especially in France) and in the USA keep asking Turkey to face with its past? Is it really in the name of History? Or is it because they want to gain more votes and/or to weaken Turkey? But why don’t they ask at first France, Spain, the English, the USA, …. to face with their past?

Message to these journalists and especially to these politicians:

Atatürk’s army hung some of those who were responsible for that period of horror against the Armenians.

I was born in France, and I was always told that what happened in 1915 in the Ottoman Empire was a genocide. I always believed that. But today I am in the confusion because one year ago Turkey suggested Armenia to create an international investigation group of historians (from any country in the world). But as far as I know, Armenia still hasn’t answered to Turkey. I do not understand. Would not that investigation group of historians unblock the situation?

Before I discovered Turkey, I was never told that some countries manipulated the Armenians in order to share out Anatolia. I wasn’t told neither that many Turks were killed by the Armenian extremists in 1915. Because France 2, TF1 or Arte Info as well as the History books never dealt with that. Never. Though I’ve been watching the news on France 2 since the age of 12.

Why don’t France, Russia, Germany, the UK, the EU and the USA support Turkey’s suggestion and decide to send their historians to that international investigation group?

Since some US and EU politicians are “so concerned” of that period of horror, don’t they think that an international investigation group of historians would be a sensible step?

Those within the EU and the USA who manipulate that dark period of History for political gains, especially at election time, have no dignity and are immoral. That is a lack of respect to the memory of all those who lost their lives. The sole objective of these politicians with no conscience is to gain the votes of their Armenian-rooted citizens. They don’t look at 1915 as human beings but as corrupt politicians.

By the way, Sarkozy was asked about what France did in Algeria, and he answered: “That subject should be dealt with by historians”.

Well, Turkey wants historians of the world to investigate about 1915.

But regarding Turkey, Sarkozy prefers mixing politics and History, since he is used to aiming at taking advantage of the votes of the Armenian-rooted French citizens.

But when it comes to the past of France in Algeria, Sarkozy thinks differently.

Therefore we can really wonder: are Sarkozy and the French assembly credible?

If that kind of politicians really want to help humanity, they ought to stop that unhealthy and immoral game.

The USA can’t change because of their electoral system.

As for the EU, since it is not even able to resolve the Cypriot issue (and actually, it does not even want to), how will it be able to resolve other bigger issues?

But I do think that the EU of Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet still exists. And it has the moral duty to help Armenia and Turkey to resolve their issues. Especially since 1999, when Turkey became an official candidate to the EU. In fact, Turkey’s problems are more than ever those of the EU. But has the EU the will to change?

Some criticize Turkey because it doesn’t implement the protocol that it signed with Armenia. They are right. But maybe that Azerbaijan threatened Turkey and the EU to not support the colossal Nabucco gas project anymore. The Azeris don’t want Turkey to open its frontier with Armenia because of the Upper Karabakh, which Armenia occupies (Turkey closed its frontier with Armenia in 1993 because of that occupation).

Azerbaijan has then become involved. Since the EU has loads of energy about the Nabucco project, why wouldn’t it have some energy about the problems between Turkey-Armenia and Armenia-Azerbaijan? (The EU has lots of energy to block Turkey’s EU membership process by inventing new problems such as the Cypriot issue, but it is not very clear regarding the occupation of Armenia of the Upper Karabakh – January 24th 2011).

Last but not least, it is said that some dark lobbies don’t want these problems in the Caucasus to be resolved, because they still aim at destabilizing Turkey. Will the EU be united and strong enough to offset their anti-peace plans?

Should not Armenia join the Alliance of civilizations created by Mr Zapatero and Mr Erdoğan? That would be another sensible step.”

Eventually I also want to suggest that former post that breathes hope and peace:

http://turkey.blogactiv.eu/2011/03/02/an-optimistic-perspective-for-armenia-and-turkey/

Let’s thwart the shadowy plans of those who try to manipulate and divide us, we the citizens of the world.

Let’s unite.

I’m looking forward to reading comments about the two above-mentioned posts as well as that current post. I’m curious. Thank you very much for your interest.

Yours faithfully,

Cem

Davutoğlu: Europe can overcome problems if it joins hands with Turkey – January 9th 2012

“The picture of Europe in our mind is that of a Europe that has regained its geo-political standing. It can do that through us. We envision a Europe that has regained its economic dynamism, something which it can do through us. This is the Europe we want,” Davutoğlu said in a speech delivered during a meeting hosted by Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD) in Istanbul.

“Just as we see ourselves as an inalienable element of Europe’s past, we also see ourselves as an inalienable element of Europe’s future. We are looking at Europe from within, not from outside,” he said.

Turkey’s current deficit narrows – January 12th 2012

Turkey posted a $5.2 billion current account deficit in November, amounting to a 13.2 percent drop as from the same period last year. On a 12-month basis, the current account deficit narrowed from $78.6 million to $77.8 million. The foreign trade deficit of Turkey also decreased by 4 percent to amount to $6.6 billion in November 2011. Furthermore, Turkey’s tourism revenues increased by 13.2 percent as from the same period last year and reached $22.4 billion, whereas tourism expenses decreased to $4.4 billion in November 2011. Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan yesterday stated that direct investment into Turkey amounted to $12.1 billion in the first 11 months of 2011 as a result of an increase by 70 percent as from the same period last year with 86 percent of these figures coming from Europe. Çağlayan stressed that Turkey enjoyed the best climate in terms of investments and that the government’s new incentive system would constitute a mechanism to help further reduce the current account deficit.

Turkish GSM operator in Forbes stocks list – January 7th 2012

Turkey’s GSM operator, Turkcell, has been ranked among the top ten stock picks for 2012

“Not surprisingly, Turkish stocks have taken a beating. The MSCI Turkey Index as measured by the iShares MSCI Turkey Index Fund (NYSE:TUR) is down nearly 50% since October 2010, and off about 30% since summer 2011 as of this writing. If you believe, as I do, that Turkey has one of the brightest futures of any country on the planet, then the crises on Turkey’s borders should be viewed as a phenomenal opportunity to buy shares of some of Turkey’s finest companies. And my choice for 2012 is Turkcell,” he said.

As of September 30, 2011, Turkcell has made 7.9 billion US dollars worth of investments (including 2G and 3G licenses) in Turkey. Again as of September 30, 2011, with its 34.4 million subscribers, Turkcell is not only the leading operator in Turkey, but also the third largest GSM operator in Europe in terms of subscriber number.

As of September 30, 2011, Turkcell had signed 3G contracts with 263 operators in 110 countries, ranking it among the world’s top operators in terms of the provision of international data services. Turkcell also ranks among the top operators in terms of GPRS roaming, where it has signed contracts with 492 operators from 166 countries.

Turkey white goods manufacture up in 2011 – January 17th 2012

Manufacture of white goods in Turkey in 2011 exceeded over 20 millon, an association of the country’s white goods producers have said

Istanbul – The production of the six-product group including refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, dryers and ovens reached 20,106,418 from 18,396,579 a year earlier.

Nearly 15 million of the total output were exported as 6.4 million of them were sold in the domestic market.

Wotton to visit Turkey – January 12th 2012

Alderman David Wotton, Lord Mayor of the City of London, is set to visit Turkey on January 15-19 to be accompanied by approximately 20 businessmen and bank managers. Reportedly, Wotton’s visit shows the importance attached to Turkey’s great economic potential. As is known, British Prime Minister has set a target of increasing the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Britain from $9 billion to $18 billion until the beginning of 2018. Wotton and the accompanying delegation will be received by President Abdullah Gül, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan during their visit which will cover Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

Turkish seed bank secures the future – January 5th 2012

As global warming becomes a more serious threat, countries look for ways to secure their future

Droughts, air pollution and various reasons…

As world gets more crowded, the source of life; seeds disappear one after another.

Turkey has already taken measures against this frightening situation.

The seed genetics bank in Ankara is serving as a host to Turkey’s plant diversity, with more than 250 thousand different seeds.

In terms of capacity, the seed bank is the third biggest in the world, and is host to both the 10,000 year old wheat germ and today’s common use wheat germs.

3900 of the 12,000 plants in Turkey are peculiar to this country.

These unique seeds are collected from Anatolian villages, fields and even from the boxes of grandmothers.

The seeds are brought to the seed genetics bank in Ankara and are taken under protection.

Agricultural Research and Policy Agency Director General Masum Burak says the seeds under protection are germinated in every 5 years for durability concerns.

With reclaiming efforts healthy seeds are produced and patented by the agency.

Fast train between Izmir and Ankara – December 26th 2011

Bidders will be invited on December 28 for the first stage of the Fast Train Project to reduce the travel time between İzmir and Ankara to 3,5 hours

Transport, Maritime and Communications Minister Binali Yıldırım has made the statement in this regard, also saying that the second stage of the project will be put to tender in 2012 thus making it possible for the construction on both stages to be kicked off.

Yıldırım said further that the project bore great importance for Turkey’s economy and the government aimed to put the Fast Train project into service by 2015.

Yıldırım also said that given the travel time between the two centres by land being 9 hours and by air almost as much with the waiting and layover included, the fast train reducing the journey to 3,5 hours would be most expedient and an important alternative.

Yours faithfully,

Cem

When General Ilker Başbuğ (a true pro-Atatürk man and soldier) became the Chief of General Staff, the websites created by some traitorous soldiers that aimed at destabilizing the Turkish government already existed.

Therefore he can’t be responsible for that anti-government propaganda.

Furthermore, these sites were closed following an order given by….Chief of General Staff Ilker Başbuğ himself.

Thus for God’s sake who is fooling whom?

I quote the excellent Turkish newspaper Anadolu Ajansı:

“I reject this charge… I, as the chief of the general staff, am the commander of the Turkish armed forces which is one of the most powerful armies in the world,” Başbuğ said in testimony at an Istanbul court Thursday.

Every minute that Mr Ilker Başbuğ has been spending in prison is an insult to his stature and intelligence.

Every minute that he has been spending in prison is a smear on his and Turkey’s integrity.

In other words, by reason of what he has done for Turkey, an insult to the Turkish nation.

As a Turkish citizen I am deeply disturbed and ashamed.

Yours faithfully,

Cem

I knew that one day these two articles regarding Ilker Başbuğ would be useful. I quote some crucial extracts:

Turkey’s top general in ‘challenging mood’ over coup allegations – March 16th 2010

When a journalist asked about speculations that top generals might consider resigning from their posts in reaction to the arrests of their colleagues, Başbuğ did not hide his anger. “Are you going to be happy if we resign? I said I am on the job until the last minute of my term,” he said. “I have been wearing this uniform for the last 50 years and I still feel like a lieutenant.”

Başbuğ continued by explaining the meaning of “teğmen,” the Turkish word for lieutenant: “‘Teğmen’ means the one who attacks. This word was created by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk himself. We’ll sometimes be generals, sometimes lieutenants.”

“I started to wear this uniform in 1957. I was promoted to officer in 1962. My actual service [as an officer] in the military has been 48 years,” he said. “There are some other generals who served 47 or 46 [years]. But 48 years – it’s a record. Why do I say this? I want to emphasize that I stand behind my years in the military. I stand behind what I have done thus far.”

Here is the second article:

Başbuğ hands over reins to Turkey’s new top general – August 27th 2010

Earlier in the day, Başbuğ attended an award ceremony and bestowed a medal of honor and the Distinguished Service Medal upon several military officers for their contributions and service to the Turkish Armed Forces, or TSK.

Speaking to daily Milliyet columnist Fikret Bila, Başbuğ, who served in the most stressful period of the army due to the ongoing probes against several army members and accusations against the TSK for alleged involvement in the coup plot, said he did not feel tired.

“I still feel like a young lieutenant because being one means being on the attack,” he said Friday.

I hope that justice will be done. I curse those who are behind that unhealthy conspiracy.

Yours faithfully,

Cem

PS. In this short post in Turkish that dates back to last July I introduced a declaration of Mr Ilker Başbuğ (who besides has never been used to being in front of the cameras). To put it in a nutshell, he said:

The military ought to not interfere in politics.

The military cares about the interests of the whole society.

PPS. Well the next two pictures – taken more than one year ago – aimed at conveying the message that there was no problem between former Chief of General Staff Ilker Başbuğ and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and that the Turkish state is and will be united against terrorism and other foreign threats:

PPPS. I quote myself:

“We all know that the Turkish military protects the republic, but some people within it are traitors. They think that they have some power and that they are able to make the best decisions for the republic, but they are dangerous.

I do not believe that the Turkish military planned to bomb a mosque or hit one of its jets. But I believe that some people within it planned it. But these people don’t represent the Turkish army, they are traitors against the country and Atatürk.

But the Turkish army can’t control everybody.

Following the headlines of Taraf newspaper, the Chief of General Staff Ilker Başbuğ said something very important.

He said that the whole Turkish army can’t be accused.

He said “the whole” (“tümünü”) and immediately he made a break:

Siz bu orduyu tümünü nasıl böyle itham edersiniz?

He insisted on that word, which is very revealing. It summarizes the stance and the opinion of the Turkish army.”

PPPPS. I wrote more than one year ago:

“Ilker Başbuğ will be on retirement. He is the best Chief of General Staff I’ve ever known. And he succeeded in protecting the credibility of the Turkish army. By reason of the complexity of Turkey and of its sensitive geo-strategic position, is there any foreign Chief of General Staff whom we can compare with him? Ilker Başbuğ is a very intelligent man. I have listened to some of his speeches since 1996. I wish he had been the boss longer. Let’s hope that his successor will be as competent as him.”

PPPPPS. Eventually, this former short article should be read too:

The Turkish army saved Turkey’s future

Ilker Başbuğ was a very competent commander.

Ilker Başbuğ is an intelligent and dignified man.

He is far from being a traitor towards the Turkish republic, unlike his predecessor Yaşar Büyükanıt, who should have been in prison.

Ilker Başbuğ is absolutely innocent and deserves respect and gratefulness for what he did for Turkey during decades.

As a Turkish citizen, I’m sad, indignant and angry.

Former Chief of General Staff has been detained

Istanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court had sent an indictment about retired General Başbuğ to Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office the previous week.

After the interrogation by the prosecutor former Chief of General Staff Ilker Başbuğ has been detained on charges of leading an armed illegal organization and attempted coup.

General Başbuğ refused all charges at the court.

Reportedly Başbuğ said “It is really tragicomical that a commander of Turkish Armed Forces is being accused of establishing an armed terror organization and leading it.”

Yours faithfully,

Cem

Imagine that you’re aboard a ship struggling with giant waves in the darkness.

You’re wishing you had some assistance.

Suddenly you make out a lighthouse in the distance.

Well that ship is our planet and that lighthouse is an EU with Turkey within it.

But some shadowy circles are sabotaging that extremely vital compass.

Yours sincerely,

Cem

Turkey’s rising power disturbs France, says Ahmet Davutoğlu

I quote:

“Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu reacted to France’s stance on Armenia by saying that it is a complex before Turkey’s rising power.

Criticizing Sarkozy, Davutoğlu said that the bill accepted in the French assembly does not have any principled aspect.

Greek Cypriot sector’s EU term presidency was also on Davutoğlu’s agenda.

Davutoğlu who attended a program on TRT 1, referred to President Sarkozy.

“If 5, 10 or 50 thousand Turks take to the streets and unfurl banners reading “We do not recognize this law” will you arrest them all? Passing this law has no humanitarian or principled aspect. It is totally utilitarianism and a complex before Turkey’s rising power. It is a complex beyond disturbance” Davutoğlu said.

The Greek Cypriot sector will assume the EU term presidency in July 2012. Davutoğlu also expressed clearly the attitude to be assumed by Turkey regarding this.

“If a settlement is reached by June 30, this is the ideal way. Turkey will be pleased to see a unified Cyprus and not the Southern Greek Cypriot sector as the EU term president and will have relations at the best level, but if the President of such a Cyprus will be Greek Cypriot its Foreign Minister will be Turkish” Davutoğlu said.”

Yours faithfully,

Cem

A great pleasure for our retinas as well as an inestimable source of spiritual strength that can only inspire a deep respect:

I respectfully wish a Merry Christmas to all my readers, friends and colleagues of Christian religion.

Yours sincerely,

Cem

Turkey-Africa conference brings together 53 countries – December 17th 2011

Ministers attending the Turkey-Africa Partnership Ministerial Review Conference reviewed the future of the African continent on Friday, with Arab Spring on the north of Africa dominating the agenda.

A final communique issued at the end of the Conference expressed support for the new government in Libya. African states also thanked Turkey for its aid activities in Somalia.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said at a news conference that there is no limit to Turkey’s cooperation with Africa. He said Turkey and the African Union took up many matters as two friendly political actors, underscoring that Africa will claim the 21st century.

African Union term president and Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea Nseng Esono praised Turkey and said “Turkey brings together not only Europe with Asia, but with Africa as well.”

African Union President praises Turkey – December 19th 2011

Speaking to the Zaman daily last week, African Union President and Equatorial Guinea Foreign Minister Eustaquio Nseng Esono said that Africa could solve its current problems only through education and that the number of Turkish schools in various countries in Africa should be increased.

“While Europe closed its embassies, Turkey opened schools in Africa. It has showed our people how to catch fish. Our need for these schools has increased. We aren’t satisfied by the current number of schools, and thus we would like to see that Turkish schools are opened in all provinces in all African countries,” said Esono.

Stating that they won’t forget the aid efforts of Turkey aimed at helping the Somali people in fighting famine, Esono said they were ready to help Turkey any time when it is necessary and that the Turkish-African partnership would last forever.

Wall Street Journal: “Turkish economy booms” – December 13th 2011

American newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that Turkish economy expanded 8.2% in the third quarter, smashing economists’ expectations and underscoring its reputation as Eurasia’s rising tiger.

A news story on the website of WSJ said, “Monday’s official growth figure, compared with the same period a year earlier, dramatically exceeded market forecasts of a 6.6% gain and followed an 8.8% expansion in the second quarter. Turkey’s rapid growth momentum comes at a time when many of Ankara’s neighbors in the Middle East and Europe are struggling with political turmoil and bailouts.”

Economists speaking to the WSJ said, “Turkish economy was unstoppable … importantly, seasonally adjusted sequential quarterly growth in the third quarter was 1.7%, which was a surprise to us and probably to market players, since we have expected a very mild increase.”

Economic growth achieved by Turkey evaluated by Babacan and Çağlayan – December 13th 2011

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan yesterday stated that Turkey’s economy achieved a growth of 9.6 percent at an annual rate in the first nine months of the year.

“Our economy had a great performance of growth among OECD, EU and G20 countries.” Babacan said. “This growth is driven by the private sector demand” said Babacan adding that the contribution of public sector expenditure is limited.

Babacan also said that the domestic demand contributed to the growth by a 7.7 points and the high performance of export supported the growth with a considerable amount.

Speaking in his part, Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan said, “The environment of confidence and the economical stability together will be reflected in every area. Diverging from the world economies with the growth performance in the first two quarters of 2011, Turkey proved its difference also in the third quarter. We aren’t surprised by this growth rate.”

UN declares October 11 as “Day of World Girls” after Turkey’s proposal – December 20th 2011

A draft resolution prepared by Turkey, Canada and Peru to celebrate October 11 as the “Day of World Girls” was approved by 193 countries at the UN General Assembly on Monday.

Speaking to the AA, Turkey’s Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador Ertuğrul Apakan, said that Turkey paid high attention to the rights of girls and cooperation in the international field to protect girls.

“As such, Turkey has, in cooperation with Canada and Peru, sponsored a resolution to celebrate October 11 as the ‘Day of World Girls’ beginning in 2012,” Apakan noted.

Britain to retain its two south Cyprus military bases – December 15th 2011

Britain will retain both its military bases in Southern Cyprus following the completion of a review of their operations, Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said on Thursday.

He confirmed Britain’s “enduring commitment” to the bases, saying they had proved their worth during air operations in Libya and as a logistic hub for activities in Afghanistan.

“The sovereign base areas are in a region of geo-political importance and high priority for the United Kingdom’s long-term national security interests,” he said in a written statement to parliament.

Britain has two extensive bases on the island, at Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
The bases would also play a role in the withdrawal of British military operations from Afghanistan, Hammond added, as Britain brings back its 9,500 troops by the end of 2014.

I wonder if the reunification of Cyprus is in the interest of the UK.

Turkish unmanned vehicle takes off, lands on autopilot (click to watch the short video)

ANKA unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Turkish engineers at TAI was flown for six hours today for tests, reaching a maximum height of 6,000 meters above ground.

Impressive. Well done Turkey.

Yours faithfully,

Cem