Turkish tour operators in dire straits despite tourism boom
Turkish tourism is on the rise according to the ever-growing number of tourists visiting the country every year. But Turkish tour operators are facing foreign acquisitions and bankruptcy due to a sharp fall in margins and financial difficulties triggered by financial recession. The chairman of Öger Tours, which is being acquired by British Thomas Cook, complains about the lack of government interest in the business
French family arrives in Turkey on bikes
The six-member Yves family from France arrived in Turkey’s northwestern province of Kırklareli by bicycle Monday after leaving the French city of Lille on May 15.
Turkey-EU talks set for Istanbul, terrorism to top agenda
Terrorism is set to top the agenda when Turkey and the European Union meet Tuesday in Istanbul for a political dialogue meeting, the first such ministerial gathering since the Lisbon Treaty came into force in 2009.
Belgian daily hails Turkey as BRIC nation in EU's backyard
A stellar economic performance in the first quarter of the year, coupled with gross domestic production expanding 11.7 percent on an annual basis, has prompted a Belgian newspaper to declare Turkey “the BRIC nation in the EU’s backyard.”
Turkey should be part of EU vision, top businesswoman says
Turkey’s relations with the European Union have reached a new phase and the country’s largest business association is now planning to increase its activity regarding Turkey-EU engagement, according to the chairwoman of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association, or TÜSİAD
Immigrants in Holland unfazed by rise of anti-Islamic party
The rise of an anti-Islamic political party in recent Dutch elections leaves some Muslims in the Netherlands concerned for their future. Others, however, say the hostility is unlikely to last long because it is only a symptom of a lack of knowledge about the religion and does not reflect the day-to-day reality of their experience
Turkey’s last offer to Israel: Three options on table
1. Apologize2. Accept the international, impartial inquiry and its conclusion3. Give up ties with Turkey
Turkey's Borusan Holding invests $450 million
The Borusan Group, one of the leading industry and service groups in Turkey, is preparing to put its three investments in the logistics, steel and energy sectors into service. The company is also planning to establish a new production facility.
Turkey to deepen trade ties with Iraq
Northern Iraq and Turkey are discussing ways to expand trade cooperation. A meeting between Massoud Barzani, northern Iraq’s leader, and Ümit Boyner, chairwoman of the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen Association, or TÜSİAD, focused on improving current trade relations between the two countries
Ahmadinejad urges Obama to accept nuke swap deal
Iran's president on Wednesday urged Barack Obama to accept a nuclear fuel swap deal, warning the U.S. leader will miss a historic opportunity for improved cooperation from Tehran if the offer is rejected.
ING Bank aims for top five in Turkey
Netherlands’ ING Group entered the Turkish market after acquiring Turkish Armed Forces Pension Fund’s banking unit in 2007, but months later it was seriously hurt by the global recession. Now, as the global economy shows strong signs of recovery, ING Bank aims to be among the top five private banks in Turkey
Three die in fire-bomb attack on Greek bank during general strike
A fire-bomb attack on an Athens bank killed three people Wednesday, casting a pall over a Greek general strike and fueling market fears that the protests could derail a massive bailout plan.
Swiss construction materials giant focuses research on Turkey
Sika, a Swiss construction materials giant, is focusing its research and development activities in Turkey, the company’s Central Asia and Caspian Region director said Tuesday
TransAtlantic to pay $100 mln for Zorlu energy units
TransAtlantic Petroleum will buy the oil and natural gas units of Turkey’s Zorlu Enerji Elektrik Üretim for $100 million
Turkey's constitutional reforms
MPs in Turkey are locked inside parliament in Ankara this week to vote on a package of amendments to the 1982 constitution.
Eureko aims to be at top five in Turkish insurance
Eureko Sigorta, the Turkish arm of Netherlands’ Eureko in partnership with Garanti Bank, aims to become one of the five top insurance companies in Turkey in 2012
US summons Syria diplomat over Hezbollah arms transfer
The United States summoned a senior Syrian diplomat Monday and demanded an "immediate" end to arms transfers to Hezbollah, criticizing any such shipments as an impediment to peace
Kyrgyz Islamists eye chaos with eager eyes
Lazily fingering a string of prayer beads outside a mosque in southern Kyrgyzstan, Ayubkhan smiles when asked about the violence which wracked his country earlier this month
Cargo firms strive to send in time due to ash cloud
The disruption in European airline traffic has also hit cargo companies, as deliveries between Turkey and Europe run into difficulties. TNT Ekspres starts to deliver through highways, while other cargo companies launch similar emergency delivery procedures. ‘Maybe Istanbul may act as an airspace hub between Europe and Asia,’ says one sector representative
Turkey restates offer to mediate Iran nuclear row
Turkey pushed Iran on Tuesday to take steps to defuse international concerns over its nuclear program, reiterating its willingness to mediate between Tehran and world powers.
Turkish tourism is on the rise according to the ever-growing number of tourists visiting the country every year. But Turkish tour operators are facing foreign acquisitions and bankruptcy due to a sharp fall in margins and financial difficulties triggered by financial recession. The chairman of Öger Tours, which is being acquired by British Thomas Cook, complains about the lack of government interest in the business
The six-member Yves family from France arrived in Turkey’s northwestern province of Kırklareli by bicycle Monday after leaving the French city of Lille on May 15.
Terrorism is set to top the agenda when Turkey and the European Union meet Tuesday in Istanbul for a political dialogue meeting, the first such ministerial gathering since the Lisbon Treaty came into force in 2009.
A stellar economic performance in the first quarter of the year, coupled with gross domestic production expanding 11.7 percent on an annual basis, has prompted a Belgian newspaper to declare Turkey “the BRIC nation in the EU’s backyard.”
Turkey’s relations with the European Union have reached a new phase and the country’s largest business association is now planning to increase its activity regarding Turkey-EU engagement, according to the chairwoman of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association, or TÜSİAD
The rise of an anti-Islamic political party in recent Dutch elections leaves some Muslims in the Netherlands concerned for their future. Others, however, say the hostility is unlikely to last long because it is only a symptom of a lack of knowledge about the religion and does not reflect the day-to-day reality of their experience
1. Apologize2. Accept the international, impartial inquiry and its conclusion3. Give up ties with Turkey
The Borusan Group, one of the leading industry and service groups in Turkey, is preparing to put its three investments in the logistics, steel and energy sectors into service. The company is also planning to establish a new production facility.
Northern Iraq and Turkey are discussing ways to expand trade cooperation. A meeting between Massoud Barzani, northern Iraq’s leader, and Ümit Boyner, chairwoman of the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen Association, or TÜSİAD, focused on improving current trade relations between the two countries
Iran's president on Wednesday urged Barack Obama to accept a nuclear fuel swap deal, warning the U.S. leader will miss a historic opportunity for improved cooperation from Tehran if the offer is rejected.
Netherlands’ ING Group entered the Turkish market after acquiring Turkish Armed Forces Pension Fund’s banking unit in 2007, but months later it was seriously hurt by the global recession. Now, as the global economy shows strong signs of recovery, ING Bank aims to be among the top five private banks in Turkey
A fire-bomb attack on an Athens bank killed three people Wednesday, casting a pall over a Greek general strike and fueling market fears that the protests could derail a massive bailout plan.
Sika, a Swiss construction materials giant, is focusing its research and development activities in Turkey, the company’s Central Asia and Caspian Region director said Tuesday
TransAtlantic Petroleum will buy the oil and natural gas units of Turkey’s Zorlu Enerji Elektrik Üretim for $100 million
MPs in Turkey are locked inside parliament in Ankara this week to vote on a package of amendments to the 1982 constitution.
Eureko Sigorta, the Turkish arm of Netherlands’ Eureko in partnership with Garanti Bank, aims to become one of the five top insurance companies in Turkey in 2012
The United States summoned a senior Syrian diplomat Monday and demanded an "immediate" end to arms transfers to Hezbollah, criticizing any such shipments as an impediment to peace
Lazily fingering a string of prayer beads outside a mosque in southern Kyrgyzstan, Ayubkhan smiles when asked about the violence which wracked his country earlier this month
The disruption in European airline traffic has also hit cargo companies, as deliveries between Turkey and Europe run into difficulties. TNT Ekspres starts to deliver through highways, while other cargo companies launch similar emergency delivery procedures. ‘Maybe Istanbul may act as an airspace hub between Europe and Asia,’ says one sector representative
Turkey pushed Iran on Tuesday to take steps to defuse international concerns over its nuclear program, reiterating its willingness to mediate between Tehran and world powers.
