THIS WEEK:
FOREIGN POLICY
• Merkel visits Turkey
ECONOMY / ENERGY
• Washington hosts 9th meeting of Turkey-US Trade & Investment Council
DOMESTIC POLITICS
• Turkey seeks to boost healthcare with new investment rules
• Turks debate modest dress set for takeoff
FOREIGN POLICY
Merkel visits Turkey
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
arrived in Turkey on February 24 for talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Abdullah Gül to discuss Turkey’s EU accession negotiations and the crisis in Syria. Prior to her trip, Merkel had stated that she is in favor of opening a new chapter in Turkey’s EU negotiations in order to move forward.
Merkel started her trip by visiting German troops at Kahramanmaraş, stationed there to operate the two German Patriot missiles. In addition, Merkel, along with her delegation of German businessmen, attended the second Turkish-German CEO Forum in Ankara, hosted jointly by TUSIAD and BDI, TUSIAD’s German counterpart.
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Hurriyet Daily News, 23 February 2013, Merkel’s Turkey visit excites business circles
Hurriyet Daily News, 23 February 2013, Merkel favors ‘new chapter’ in Turkey’s EU-bid talks
Reuters, 23 February 2013, Merkel backs new EU talks for Turkey, but has doubts
ABC News, 24 February 2013, Germany’s Merkel meets Turkish leaders in Ankara
New York Times, 24 February 2013, Merkel raises Turks’ hope of European Union entry
Reuters, 25 February 2013, Cyprus remains stumbling block in Turkey’s EU ambition: Merkel
Huffington Post, 25 February 2013, Merkel backs ‘open-ended’ Turkey EU talks
ECONOMY / ENERGY
Washington hosts 9th meeting of Turkey-US Trade & Investment Council
The ninth meeting of Turkey-U.S. Trade and Investment Council (TIFA) was held on February 21 at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC. Deputy Undersecretary of Economy Cemalettin Damlacı headed the Turkish delegation. Damlacı said the main agenda of the meeting was the expectation of signing a free trade agreement (FTA) between Turkey and the U.S., reminding that Turkey had a FTA with 19 countries.
Noting a recent Pricewaterhouse Coopers report estimating Turkey would be the 12th largest economy in the world by 2030, Damlacı highlighted the importance of such an agreement for bilateral relations.
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Anadolu Agency, 22 February 2013, Washington hosts 9th meeting of Turkey-US Trade&Investment Council
DOMESTIC POLITICS
Turkey seeks to boost healthcare with new investment rules
On February 21, the Turkish government passed laws that allow private investors to run city hospitals for 25 years, and streamline building new hospitals. The set of laws makes investment appealing by offering security in the process, and limiting bureaucracy. The new laws complement high growth in the private services sector.
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Reuters, 22 February 2013, Turkey seeks to boost healthcare with new investment rules
Turks debate modest dress set for takeoff
Leaked designs for new Turkish Airlines crew uniforms spark debate that the conservative uniforms represent a new, more religious orientation of the airline. This comes at the same time as the announcement of cancelled alcohol service on certain flights. The airline is deflecting some criticism, noting that the leaked designs are one of many ideas.
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New York Times, 24 February 2013, Turks debate modest dress set for takeoff
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