In an effort to boost its army's air transport capabilities, Turkey has formally requested the purchase of 10 U.S.-made CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters worth nearly $500 million, according to procurement officials.
Turkish authorities have recently sent a letter to their counterparts at the Pentagon, requesting the purchase of the brand new platforms through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) scheme.
In February 2008, Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) passed two constitutional amendments that intend to lift the ban on Islamic headscarves on college campuses. Although it is still unclear how the legislation will be implemented, the new laws are likely to have a negative impact on how the European Union sees Turkey. Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan states that the amendments protect individual and religious freedom -- two rights that are guaranteed under the EU's common legislative body. However, as the controversy surrounding the issue continues, the legal ambiguity created by the case could alienate Europe, making Turkey's EU accession bid even more difficult.
Turkish warplanes launched intensive bombing raids on Kurdish targets in northern Iraq overnight but there were no reports of any casualties, a Kurdish spokesman said on Friday.
From whom do weekly British The Economist and Newsweek magazines distributed worldwide and globally, which claim to dwell upon economic and political issues, take the power to interfere with Turkey’s internal affairs? In the name of whom do they attempt to exert pressure on Turkish justice?
If accepted to the European Union, Turkey would play an important role in the currently unstable Balkans, local press reported Saturday citing Bulgarian EU Affairs Minister Gergana Grancharova.
The statement was made at the opening of the international conference entitled "Scenarios for Turkey's (Non)-Accession to the EU: Prospects and Consequences," held in Sofia on the initiative of Open Society Foundation.
Turkey is expecting to host more than 23 million tourists and earn $19.5 billion from tourism in 2008, Turkish officials said on Sunday. The aim of Turkey is to catch up with the most popular tourism destinations in Europe like France, Spain and Italy Turkey's State Planning Organization (DPT) added.
Mor ve Ötesi (literally meaning 'violet and beyond' a play on the Turkish phrase for ultra violet rays) is the name of a Turkish alternative rock band hailing from the city of Istanbul, formed by frontman Harun Tekin. Its four current members are Harun Tekin, Kerem Kabadayı, Burak Güven and Kerem Özyeğen. Former members include Harun Tekin's brother Alper Tekin and Derin Esmer. They received major mainstream success after the release of the song "Bir Derdim Var" (I have a problem). The band's name is a play on "morötesi" which is the Turkish word for "ultraviolet".
Lokmacı gate which has been closed for 45 years will be opened to pedestrians today.
The island gets united from the point it was divided. Lokmacı Gate which has been closed since 1963 will be opened with a ceremony. The president Talat and Greek government presidential consultant Yakovu will be present at the ceremony.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and the Turkish leadership have discussed energy cooperation. On Tuesday, Berdymukhammedov completed his two-day official visit to Turkey. The talks focused on the transportation of Turkmen natural gas through Turkey to the European countries. With this in mind, the project of the gas pipeline, which will link Turkmenistan, Turkey and Europe, was again in the agenda of the talks. The pipeline may be laid down not through Azerbaijan, with which Ashgabat has certain discords, but through the territory of Iran, Kazinform cites Itar-Tass.
Fatih Terim told his Turkey side in no uncertain terms this week that anything less than a professional showing against Belarus could see replacements drafted in in time for Euro 2008. As such, his men are playing for their futures, while the Belarussians themselves have no small measure of motivation...
US Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Turkey Monday on the final leg of an overseas tour that has taken him to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Cheney, who flew in from Israel, is to meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials for talks expected to focus on Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and the Middle East peace process.
The US vice president's itinerary does not include any press conferences.
Nevruz – the new year - the spring equinox, the day when night and day are approximately the same length of time, the first day of spring, a day of ancient rites from pagan times. Nevruz is considered their day of liberation from oppression as expressed in a legend about the evil king Dehaq being overcome by the Blacksmith Kawa who led the people through Ergenekon Mountain to freedom.
Spring is finally here, trees are beginning to show signs of returning leaves and new branches and plants are poking their heads out of the ground.
The TRNC’s president said the meeting was the beginning of a new era.
President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Demetris Christofias have agreed to resume negotiations aimed at reunifying the two states on the island.
Good weather, "reasonably priced" properties and accessibility are some of the factors that may draw investors to investigate opportunities in Alanya, Turkey, according to one expert.
Sara Romera, a spokesperson for Property Showrooms, suggested that the location could offer an appealing alternative to Istanbul.
Turkey has been the number one holiday destination for Russians in the past two year, with its warm climes and rich mix of culture attracting visitors, but it is the accessibility of the country that appeals as well, one travel news provider has explained.
Balkan Travellers has noted the rise in Russian tourists in southern European destinations and has named Turkey as the foremost destination of all.
Last week, the Kyrgyz State Agency for Tourism and the School of Tourism and Hotel Management at the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University in Bishkek signed a cooperation agreement as part of the Kyrgyz-Turkish Trade and Economic Cooperation program.
On March 14 the United Nations General Assembly adopted an Azerbaijan-authored resolution, calling for:
• “Immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan”; • “Respect and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders”; • Support for the “inalienable right of the population expelled from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan to return to their homes”; • International assistance for “comprehensive rehabilitation of all conflict-affected territories”; • Refusal by all states to “recognize as lawful the current situation in Karabakh” or to “provide aid or assistance to maintain that situation”; • Creating “normal, secure, and equal conditions of life for the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in Karabakh,” so as to build “an effective, democratic system of self-governance” there; and • Support for the mediation efforts by the OSCE’s “Minsk Group” .
Turkey said Monday that it will not dispatch additional troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban, despite relentless demands from the United States and NATO.
Just a month after taking up my duty in this post [2006] I said that �we would not send a single soldier to Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism.' I still hold onto the same position,� Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt, Chief of General Staff, said in televised remarks late Monday.
Bulgaria, Croatia and Hungary -- could shortly recognise Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, Croatian dailies reported Tuesday.
The Zagreb government was expected to recognise Kosovo on Wednesday along with Bulgaria and Hungary, after the breakaway province declared independence from Serbia last month, said the newspaper Jutarnji List.
Canada recognized Kosovo yesterday after a month on the sidelines of the internationally divisive debate, eliciting the anger of Serbia, which warned that a precedent has been set for a unilateral declaration of independence in Quebec.
The Harper government, however, said its decision was well thought out and in no way opens the door to Canada's breakup.
The United Nations accused Serbian officials Tuesday of complicity in the violence in northern Kosovo that left a UN policeman from Ukraine dead and dozens of people hurt.
Larry Rossin, the deputy UN administrator for Kosovo, said that "it is clear to us that the violence ... was orchestrated."
In an effort to boost its army's air transport capabilities, Turkey has formally requested the purchase of 10 U.S.-made CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters worth nearly $500 million, according to procurement officials.
By Antonia Ruiz Jimenez
Mor ve Ötesi (literally meaning 'violet and beyond' a play on the Turkish phrase for ultra violet rays) is the name of a Turkish alternative rock band hailing from the city of Istanbul, formed by frontman Harun Tekin. Its four current members are Harun Tekin, Kerem Kabadayı, Burak Güven and Kerem Özyeğen. Former members include Harun Tekin's brother Alper Tekin and Derin Esmer. They received major mainstream success after the release of the song "Bir Derdim Var" (I have a problem). The band's name is a play on "morötesi" which is the Turkish word for "ultraviolet".
Fatih Terim told his Turkey side in no uncertain terms this week that anything less than a professional showing against Belarus could see replacements drafted in in time for Euro 2008. As such, his men are playing for their futures, while the Belarussians themselves have no small measure of motivation...
US Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Turkey Monday on the final leg of an overseas tour that has taken him to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Nevruz – the new year - the spring equinox, the day when night and day are approximately the same length of time, the first day of spring, a day of ancient rites from pagan times. Nevruz is considered their day of liberation from oppression as expressed in a legend about the evil king Dehaq being overcome by the Blacksmith Kawa who led the people through Ergenekon Mountain to freedom.
Good weather, "reasonably priced" properties and accessibility are some of the factors that may draw investors to investigate opportunities in Alanya, Turkey, according to one expert.
Turkey has been the number one holiday destination for Russians in the past two year, with its warm climes and rich mix of culture attracting visitors, but it is the accessibility of the country that appeals as well, one travel news provider has explained.
(By Vladimir Socor)
Turkey said Monday that it will not dispatch additional troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban, despite relentless demands from the United States and NATO.