Latest News from Turkey
Bulgaria's Port Varna Registers Profit of BGN 2 M from Storing South Stream Pipes
Port Varna has registered a profit of over BGN 2 M for the past five months from the processing and storing of steel pipes earmarked for the construction of the offshore section of the South Stream gas pipeline, according to Dimitar Atanasov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company.
Turkey's industrial production increases
Turkey?s industrial production increased by 2.6 percent in December, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜ?K) released on Feb. 8.
Industrial production increased by 2.6 percent compared with the same month last year, and 1.2 percent from the previous month.
Turkey to send 80 students to Russia for nuke training
Turkey will send 80 more students to Russia to get nuclear energy education in addition to the 300 students who have already been to Russia for the same purposes, Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z said Feb. 9.
Historic cannonball stolen from southern castle
The cannonball in the entrance of the 1,500-year-old Mamure Castle in the southern province of Mersin has been stolen. The castle was listed on the UNESCO Temporary World Heritage List in 2012.
Council of Europe's human rights commissioner urges Turkey to reconsider security bill
With the Turkish parliament expected to begin discussing the government?s controversial new security bill this week, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Mui?nieks has expressed his concerns and urged parliament to reconsider the bill, in a statement released on the commission?s official Facebook page on Feb. 6.
Former interior minister cleared in graft probe 'will not be a candidate' in upcoming elections
Muammer Güler, one of the four former ministers who resigned after Turkey?s huge corruption probe broke on Dec. 17, 2013, has announced in a written statement that he will not run for parliament in the June 7 general elections.
PM Borisov: Bulgaria Has Potential to Become Gas Distribution Center
Bulgaria is one of the most intensely interested EU countries in guaranteeing the security of energy supplies and achieving energy diversification, according to Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.
Spurring growth center stage as G-20 finance chiefs meet in Istanbul
Finance ministers and central bankers face a tough task coordinating action to spur global growth at G-20 meetings this week, with major economies running at different speeds and monetary policies diverging.
G-20 plan for investment targets faces stiff opposition
Group of 20 finance officials look likely to reject a proposal to set countries specific investment targets to spur a global economy which looks increasingly reliant on the United States for growth.
Turkish president wants short-term economic gains for next elections
President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an is acting with a politician's short-sighted perspective as the country heads towards elections, said economist Ümit ?zmen. "The Justice and Development Party is following a new form of populism, similar to that from the 1990's, yet with different methods and tools," she said.
Is Erdo?an's 'taka' headed for the cliffs?
Not according to credit ratings agency Standard & Poor?s. In a note released on Feb. 6, S&P said the ?banking regulator?s (BDDK) decision to transfer the management of Bank Asya to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) does not affect the unsolicited credit ratings on Turkey.?
Is Turkey becoming the center of regional crises?
Politicians are notorious about avoiding telling the truth; maybe that is why they need to apologize when they happen to tell the truth. At least this is the case with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who apologized after saying "the biggest problem for the U.S. is its allies; Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey."
New Turkey seizes private property like old Ottomans
From the brutal expropriation of olive groves to seizing control of a private bank, President Erdo?an's 'New Turkey' dispossesses some of its people in 'pragmatic' ways that once led to the collapse of the Ottomans. The future of Turkish democracy is still bright, though. "I don't want to sell my house.
Underground ceramic museum in Avanos
The world's first and only underground ceramic museum was opened last year in Turkey's Cappadocia region by a family engaged in the ceramic business for five generations The Cappadocia Underground Ceramic Museum (Güray Museum) is considered the world's first rock-carved underground ceramic museum and is a highly popular spot in the Avanos district in the central Anatolian province of Nev
President Erdo?an unhappy with Turkish spy chief's resignation
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an said on Feb. 8 he was unhappy with the decision of powerful intelligence chief Hakan Fidan to resign from his post and stand for parliament in June elections.
"I do not view Hakan Fidan's candidacy positively," Erdo?an said in televised comments at Istanbul airport before heading on a visit to Latin America.