http://toroslar.com.tr/ Latest News from Turkish Riviera / Turkey en Copyright 2007 www.toroslar.com.tr 09.10.2007 00:43:58 http://www.toroslar.com.tr/images/toroslar100x.png http://www.Toroslar.com.tr 20 http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1149 Operated by TAV Airports, Antalya Gazipasa Airport welcomed 182 passengers of Small Planet, a Lithuanian airline company operating charter flights and arriving from Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on May 17th. Airbus A320 type aircraft of Small Planet Airlines was welcomed by water cannon salute at the apron. TAV Gazipasa General Manager Cengiz Asikli, Adriatic Air Service officials and TAV Gazipasa Airport employees attended the welcome ceremony. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1148 Turkey's 52-year-old affair with the International Monetary Fund will take a turn as the country prepares to cut its debt to the IMF to zero later this month. The Turkish Treasury will repay on May 14 a last slice of $422.1 million and loan the fund $5 billion, making Turkey the 23rd biggest lender in the international institution. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1147 The third airport to be built in Istanbul is expected to be the world's largest with a capacity of 150 million passengers when completed. Held at the Esenboga Airport of Turkish capital of Ankara, the tender bid for the airport was made with the "build-operate-transfer" model. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1146 From May 2013 visa-free regime will be set between Turkey and Moldova. The resolution to abandon the visa regime with Moldova was ratified yesterday by the Turkish government. The relevant decision was made by the two countries in November 2012. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1145 Turkey's national air carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) on Thursday signed a sponsorship agreement with Germany's Bundesliga football club Borussia Dortmund. THY Director General Temel Kotil and the CEO of Borussia Dortmund Hans-Joachim Watzke signed the agreement and later appeared at a press conference at the Signal Iduna Park Stadium. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1144 Number of foreign tourists visiting Istanbul, Turkey's main commercial and cultural hub, reached 2.92 million in the first four months of 2013, data showed. The figure marked a 21 percent rise over the same period from 2.42 million a year earlier. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1143 Turkey's final capital refunding to the IMF was set as May 14. Turkey's Treasury Undersecretariat will close the debt by refunding 422.1 million USD of capital as part of the 19th stand-by. Turkey will be closing a chapter with the IMF, to whom it was an indebted for 52 years. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1142 The Turkish Ministry of Defence along with the country's Air Force intends to establish a military electronic system for F-16 fighters. Today this type of system is being created in only five countries in the world. The electronic combat system, which is the foundation of military electronic systems for fighters, will protect the aircraft during a flight from threats detected by radar and an air defence system. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1141 Turkey and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation as dialogue partners. NATO member Turkey signed up on Friday to became a "dialogue partner" of a security bloc dominated by China and Russia, and declared that its destiny is in Asia. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1140 Turkey's first national mini communications test satellite "TURKSAT-3USAT" has been launched to space from China on Friday. In a statement posted on their web site, Turksat said that the test satellite was launched to space from China at 07.13 a.m. (Turkish local time). http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1139 Mustafa Sayar from Torku Sekerspor ranked the first in general classification in the tour which started on April 21 from Alanya leg and ended with Istanbul-Istanbul leg. Total length of the tour was 1,204 km. German Marcel Kittel from Argos team ranked the first in Istanbul-Istanbul leg. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1138 German Marcel Kittel representing the Team Argos-Shimano won the first stage of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey (TUR) that started in Antalya's Alanya on Sunday. Kittel was the winner of 143-km lap with 03:08:27. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1137 The top three cities of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir have seen their share of the value of annual national realty sales steeply decline from 51 percent in 2010 to 41 percent in 2012 http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1136 Turkish Minister of National Education Nabi Avci came together with students and teachers in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and talked about the Fatih Project. Avci said, during a meeting with Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk, that they want to share the experiences on, enhance and enrich the Fatih Project. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1135 The first-place winner of the competition organized by Google Turkey with the theme “Turkey’s Wonders” is the search engine logo designed by Melissa Caglar, a fourth grader from Ankara Gazi Elementary School. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1134 Turkish Airlines (THY) on Wednesday signed an agreement with Airbus to add 117 more planes to its fleet. Turkish Minister of Finance Mehmet Simsek, Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Binali Yildirim, THY chairman of Board Hamdi Topcu, CEO of THY Temel Kotil and President and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Fabrice Bregier were present at the signing ceremony held in Istanbul. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1133 Following the introduction of a new piece of legislation -- often referred to as the reciprocity law -- which allows foreigners to purchase property in Turkey, a total of 12,512 houses and plots of land were purchased over the past 11 months by non-Turkish citizens, data provided by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre have shown. According to the directorate, between May 18, 2012 and April 11, 2013, 2,522 plots of land and 9,990 houses were sold to foreigners. On a country basis, the citizens of Germany, Russia, England, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Kuwait emerged as the top buyers of Turkish real estate. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1132 As expressed by tourism sector representatives many times before, the 2013 tourist figures are expected to increase to over 33 million, but problems in the sector remain as hurdles to attracting a higher number of tourists and developing the sector overall. The recently appointed Culture and Tourism Minister Omer Celik stated previously that “Turkey's tourism potential continues to increase, and the aim is to continue the upward trend. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1131 The 121st Turkey-EU joint parliamentary committee is to take place on Friday at the Belgian capital of Brussels. The committee, responsible for the evaluation of issues stemming from the Ankara Agreement signed on September 12, 1963 between Turkey and the EEC, is to discuss partnership relation and the latest developments and problems in the negotiation process. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1130 The Anglo-Turkish oil and gas independent, Genel Energy, today announced that the first of the five exploration wells it plans to drill this year in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has made a significant oil discovery. The Company said the Chia Surkh 10 well was drilled to a depth of 1,696 metres in the Oligo-Miocene section, and flowed at up to 11,950 barrels of oil a day and 15 million cubic feet of gas. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1129 Norwegian violinist, Alexander Rybak, who won Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 with his song “Fairytale”, played the violin at the ceremony held by Alanya’s Police Department to mark the 168th anniversary of Turkish Police. As a part of the Project “They are our Countrymen”, created by Alanya’s Police Department and devoted to the 168th anniversary of Turkish Police, a reception was organized where the famous Norwegian artist Alexander Rybak played the violin. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1128 Shell Turkey Country Manager Ahmet Erdem said Sunday in Istanbul they would pour “a couple of millions of dollars” into energy research studies in Turkey over the next three to four years. Royal Dutch Shell's Turkey branch expects to intensify investments in shale gas and oil jointly with their partner the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) in Turkey, the company said on Sunday. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1127 The S and P said they upgraded the rating of Is Bankasi, Garanti Bankasi, Garanti Finansal Kiralama, HSBC Bank, Vakifbank and Yapi Kredit to 'BB+' from 'BB'. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1126 Toyota Turkey exported 8,535 automobiles in February, 2013. Automotive Industry Association (OSD) stated that Toyota factory in Turkey's northwestern Sakarya province exported 8,535 "Verso" model automobiles in February. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1125 The European Union has welcomed a new Turkish law on foreigners and international protection, hailing the move by the Turkish Parliament as a “clear sign” of Turkey's efforts to establish a sound legal and institutional framework for migration and asylum. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1124 Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz held meetings at the city of Gumushane in northeastern Turkey, and has expressed that all international companies with offers regarding the Black Sea are invited. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1123 Turkey's Istanbul city was selected "Europe's best destination" in 2013 among 20 European cities by the votes of tourism sector and consumers. According to "European Consumers Choice", Istanbul took the first line after three-week voting, and was followed by Lisbon, Vienna, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Madrid, Valletta, Nice, Milan and Stockholm. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1122 Clocks in Turkey were advanced by one hour on Sunday at 03.00 a.m. as part of Summer time practice. By advancing clocks, evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Summer time practice will end on Sunday, October 27 when clocks will be adjusted backward by one hour at 04.00 a.m. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1121 Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday signed an agreement with Belarus ending visa requirement between Turkey and Belarus. On Friday, Davutoglu met with Belarus' Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey in Minsk. The two ministers discussed bilateral relations including Turkish investments in Belarus and promoting economic and commercial cooperation. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1120 Istanbul is once again preparing to welcome the International Istanbul Tulip Festival. Every April since 2006 the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has planted nearly 100 million tulips, symbolizing the coming of spring, in Istanbul's parks, avenues, roundabouts and practically anywhere there is open ground. The result is a tradition of a splendid spring flower festival with bright splashes of color everywhere. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1119 Turkish Red Crescent Aid Society will establish the Turkish Foundation and build a boarding vocational school in Mogadishu as part of the "Somalia Humanitarian Aid Operation". http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1118 Turkey's Riza Kayaalp won a gold medal in men's 120kg Greco-Roman at the European Wrestling Championship in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. Kayaalp toppled his Georgian rival Yevhenii Orlov 2-0 to clinch to the top title. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1117 Turkey and Poland on Thursday signed a "Declaration of Will" for activities to mark the 600th year of diplomatic relations in 2014. A ceremony took place in the Polish capital of Warsaw on Thursday for the declaration. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu signed the declaration on behalf of Turkey and his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski signed it on behalf of Poland. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1116 Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey has been negotiating to settle dispute with Israel for almost three years and Israeli side came closer to issue an apology on a number of occasions but it didn't happen due to internal political disputes and dynamic in Israel. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1115 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will inaugurate on Saturday Turkey's third high-speed train that links up the central cities of Eskisehir and Konya with four round trips daily. The new line completes a three-city network with an existing route between capital Ankara and Eskisehir, and another one between Ankara and Konya. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1114 Turkey's first domestic made antitank long-range missile UMTAS, manufactured by ROKETSAN, can hit targets five kilometers away with full precision. Sources at ROKETSAN told the Anadolu Agency (AA) that the Long Range Antitank Missile (UMTAS) Project had been initiated to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) by national means. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1113 Spring has knocked on the door of Cappadocia's beauty. Spring has arrived to Cappadocia which is famous with its fascinating chimney rocks, impressing hot air balloon trips, underground cities and boutique hotels carved into rocks. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1112 Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan on Friday met with CEOs from more than a dozen Dutch companies including Shell, Unilever, Rabobank and Philips who visited the Turkish capital, Ankara. Speaking at the meeting, Caglayan said Dutch investments in Turkey surpassed those of any other country with a foreign direct investment volume of $16.7 billion out of a total $123.7 billion. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1111 Turkish State Railways (TCDD) plans to receive 900 million Turkish lira (TL) loan from four international banks for the railways investments it projected for 2013. TCDD said it estimated to spend 20.3 billion TL between 2013 and 2015 for rail vehicles' repair and manufacturing and rail and sea transportation and 19.5 TL of it will be spent only for railway transportation. For that purpose, TCDD will get 900 million TL loan from four international banks for the railway investments in 2013. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1110 The number of companies with international capital reached 32,604 in Turkey as end of 2012. According to AA's assessed data received from Economy Ministry that, as end of December 2012, there were 27,110 companies and branches with international capital and 5,494 companies with international capital have also shares in Turkish companies. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1109 The Istanbul Municipality has been preparing for the 8th International Tulip Festival by planting around 13 million tulips in various parts of the city. Municipal official Mehmet Ihsan simsek stated that they started to plant tulips in November 2012 and will finish planting in April 2013. The tulips are being planted in some popular parks of the city such as Emirgan Park, Gulhane Park, Buyuk Camlica and Fethipasa Park. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1108 Chairman of the Executive Board of the Association of Automotive Parts and Components Manufacturers (TAYSAD) Mehmet Dudaroglu said on Sunday that they planned to manufacture 1.1 million vehicles in 2013. In a written statement released on Sunday, Dudaroglu also said that they planned to sell 810,000 of the vehicles manufactured within Turkey. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1107 The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) has developed an information system that will be used in defense as part of important steps it is taking to create a situation in which Turkey can rely more on domestic production of defense equipment than foreign sources. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1106 Turkish President Abdullah Gul and visiting Jordan's King Abdullah II on Wednesday toured production facilities at Turkey's TUSAS Aerospace Industries, or TAI, in capital Ankara. Clad in flight jackets, Gul and King Abdullah II -- a helicopter pilot himself -- inspected T-129 ATAK, Turkey's first national attack helicopter, and they hopped in the tandem cockpit of the aircraft. The two leaders also watched a demonstration flight of the helicopter. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1105 Following a new arrangement in Turkish reciprocity law, 11,008 foreigners bought 10,687 real estate properties in Turkey in 9 months time. According to information received from Turkey's Environment and Urbanization Ministry, even though it has been only 9 months since the law took effect, foreigners bought high number of real estates in Turkey. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1104 Turkish singer Muslum Gurses, who has been under treatment in intensive care for the past four months, died on Sunday at an Istanbul hospital. Gurses, who was 60 years old, was taken to the intensive care unit at Memorial Hospital in November after undergoing heart bypass surgery. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1103 Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan stated on Friday that Turkey's exports increased 5.6 percent in February 2013 to 11.6 billion USD. He added exports in the past 12 months reached $153.6 billion according to the figures of Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM). http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1102 Ersal Ozdemir, a Turkish businessman from Indiana state, will start a soccer team in Indianapolis, capital of the state. The team will be the first professional soccer team of Indianapolis and compete in North America Soccer League-NASL, second division of the US. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1101 Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) will organize Turkey-Greece Business Forum in Istanbul on March 4. Turkey-Greece Business Forum will be held under coordination of the Ministry of Economy and in cooperation with Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) and DEIK. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1100 Dear customers and friends, As you know we have launched a new promotional campaign for Turkuaz Residence. We are now offering all new customers who buy an apartment at Turkuaz Residence furniture packet. Most of these items are available to view in our show apartment at Turkuaz Residence, if you need more information please speak to us. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1099 International Money Fund (IMF) estimated Turkey's economy to grow 3.4 percent in 2013 and 4.2 percent in 2014. IMF report announced at the G-20 Finance Ministers meeting in Russia, stated that policies might differ for the developing countries. It was said that middle term financial targets should be more ambitious for some countries. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1098 Natural gas reserves have been found in Istanbul's Silivri district, Turkish media reported on Tuesday. An exploratory drilling operation headed by Merty Energy has reached a natural gas deposit at a depth of some 500 meters in the Cayirlik-1 field, the company's officials said. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1097 he "Japanese Wind at Ottoman Palace" exhibition opened doors on Friday at the Dolmabahce Art Gallery in Istanbul. The exhibition consists of Japanese pieces of art collected from Turkey's National Palaces. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1096 Nearly 2,500 Syrian babies were born in Turkey in refugee camps. Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) stated on Friday that the number of Syrians in Turkey have reached over 180,000 for the last two years due to violence in Syria. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1095 Turkey's first domestic made research ship "R/V TUBITAK Marmara" was launched on Sunday. A ceremony was held in Tuzla town of Istanbul on Sunday for the launch of the Turkish research ship. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1094 Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Taner Yildiz said, as Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), on Thursday they will be signing an agreement of $350 million based on searching petroleum and natural gas. Speaking on Kanal 24 TV channel on Monday, Taner Yildiz replied questions regarding the search of petroleum and he reminded that there would be new projects to be developed in the Black Sea. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1093 Students of the Ottoman and Modern Turkey Researches Center at the US's Indiana University will arrive in Turkey to learn the Ottoman language. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1092 A statement by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticizing Turkey's EU bid, which has been on hold for five decades, and urging European states to go back to the pre-Ankara agreement has brought attention to some forgotten deals that were made between Turkey and several European states in the 1920s which granted reciprocal free movement. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1091 Bursa-based steel products supplier Durmazlar has completed production of a prototype 100% low-floor tram for its home city. A full-size mock-up of the SilkWorm tram was displayed at the Eurasiarail trade show in Istanbul on March 8-10 on the stand which Durmazlar shared with Siemens. The SilkWorm uses traction equipment from Siemens’ Combino family. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1090 Data released by Turkey's Interbank Card Center (BKM) on Friday indicated that Turks love online shopping as the number of online credit card transactions increased by 34 percent in 2012 over the previous year, reaching a value of $17.4 billion. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1089 Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag held Sunday the inauguration of the children's hospital in Pakistan which was repaired by Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA). Speaking the opening ceremony, Bozdag said the cooperation between two countries needed to be developed and experiences had to be shared. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1088 Turkish Red Crescent Aid Society will construct residences in Myanmar. In a written statement released on Monday, the Turkish Red Crescent said that Deputy Chairman Nihat Adiguzel, Secretary General Muzaffer Komit and Deputy Secretary General Hamza Aydogdu visited Myanmar recently to observe the activities conducted as part of the Myanmar Humanitarian Aid Operation. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1087 According to figures of World Steel Association, Turkey rose two ranks to the 8th row by leaving Brazil and Ukraine behind in world steel production. Global steel production rose 1.2 percent to 1.5 billion tons in 2012. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1086 Turkey's debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will end in May, 2013. The last tranche of Turkey's debt, which is nearly 431 million USD, will be paid in May. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1085 Turksat Director General Ozkan Dalbay told AA on Sunday that Defense Industry Executive Board expressed several alternative cities to set up launcher pad. Also, Turkey can make an agreement with another country to install the launcher pad there, he added. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1084 Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz on Wednesday announced that they have bought a seismic vessel to conduct two and three dimensional seismic surveys in the seas of Turkey. Yildiz stated that they have come to an important point in search of oil and natural gas in the seas as they were at the final stage of the project ongoing for nearly seven months. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1083 The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has launched a restoration project for the historic Temple of Apollo in the ancient city of Side, located on the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. As the 2,000 year-old Temple of Apollo is situated on the coast, its columns have been badly affected by moisture and saltwater, which is causing erosion. The columns of the temple will be strengthened as part of the project. The general aim of the ministry in starting the project is to preserve the cultural and historic assets of the ancient city of Side, which has great importance as a tourist attraction in the country. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1082 Director General of Turkey's State Airports Authority (DHMI), Orhan Birdal on Saturday said that "following the opening of the third airport in Istanbul, there will be no more scheduled flights at the Ataturk Airport." Speaking to reporters in Istanbul on Saturday, Birdal indicated that the Ataturk Airport may be used for different activities in the aviation sector, including a global aviation fair. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1081 A Turkish woman who has been taking care of a Russian boy appeared on a talk show in Russia. Gulsum Kabadayi, who is living in the southern province of Antalya, has been taking care of Russian boy who remained paralyzed after he was hit by a bus in Antalya in 2008. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1080 Slovenian diplomat Jelko Kacin said that "if we have lifted visa requirement for western Balkan countries, except Kosovo, we have to admit that we are still approaching Turkey with two faces and without professionalism." http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1079 The Eastern Mediterranean International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (EMITT) opened its doors to visitors in Istanbul on Thursday. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1078 A delegation from the US State Department and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) visited the tent city in Turkey's southern province of Gaziantep and talked with Syrian refugees. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1077 Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leading German politicians are expected to pay a visit to Turkey at the end of next month to have talks with Turkish officials. German diplomatic sources told the state-run Anatolia news agency that Merkel is planning to visit Ankara on Feb. 25 and will be meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during her one-day trip. It is still not clear what Merkel's agenda will be during her February visit. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1076 A funeral ceremony was held in Istanbul on Saturday for seasoned Turkish broadcast journalist Mehmet Ali Birand who passed away Thursday at the age of 72. The funeral ceremony was held at Istanbul's Tesvikiye Mosque and it was attended by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and by many of his colleagues and friends. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1075 Syrian refugees who fled to Turkey escaping civil war receive services in Turkey ranging from lodging to food, and from education to health. Since the Syrians began entering Turkey, 2,026 Syrian babies were born within Turkey. According to the Turkish Prime Ministry Public Diplomacy Coordinator's Office (KDK), 15 lodging sites were established for 157,490 Syrian refugees in Turkey. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1074 The e-prescribing system, compulsory as of January 15, was working trouble-free, said Harun Kizilay, the secretary general of Turkish Pharmacists' Association. Kizilay told AA correspondent on Tuesday that they were following the e-prescribing system closely on a town and provincial basis. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1073 Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan stated that in the next 10 years Turkey would invest $250 billion in the fields of energy and transportation. He said, "These will take place with the partnership of public and private sector or with the public budget resources. So I think that French businessmen need to take a look at Turkey from that point of view." http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1072 Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said that Turkish contractor sector began 2013 with a record-high figure. The sector undertook projects worth of 2.9 billion USD in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Georgia in the first two weeks of 2013, added Caglayan. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1071 A team of "Doctors Worldwide" departed from Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport on Friday and are on their way to Cairo from where they will travel to Gaza. The team will treat Palestinians who need advanced surgical treatment and who were wounded in Israeli attacks in November 2012. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1070 Turkey reached a record-high figure by exporting 265,000 tons of hazelnuts in 2012. Trabzon Commodity Exchange stated on Tuesday that 265,000 tons of hazelnuts had been the record-high export figure in the history of Turkey's hazelnut exports, adding that Turkey earned 1.8 billion USD which had been the second highest income after 2005's. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1069 Turkish Treasury signed an agreement with two international credit rating agencies, Moody's and Fitch, for the year of 2013. Turkish Treasury which fulfills the bond issues every year in the international bond markets used to work with Moody's and Standard and Poors based on agreements. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1068 Industrial production index increased 11.3 percent in November 2012 when compared to November 2011. TurkStat, Turkey's statistical authority, said on Tuesday that the largest increase was in manufacturing industry. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1067 Turkish property is slowly but surely climbing its way up the overseas property ladder; making a name and a space for itself as one of the top places in the world to invest in property. According to the index compiled by The Association of Real Estate Investment Partners (AKA GYODER) in conjunction with Garanti Bank and Reidin, Turkish property prices are currently rising by 10-12 per cent per year, and have been month-in-month out in the index for at least the last 18 months – 2 years. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1066 Number of passengers carried by THY was up 20 percent when compared to 2011. The Executive Board Chairman of Turkey's national air carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), Hamdi Topcu said that they earned 1.1 billion Turkish liras (TL) as operating profit in the first nine months of 2012. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1065 22 Turkish engineers who were sent first to France and then to Japan in regard to satellite technology transfer program in accordance with the decision made by the Council of Minister in 2005, will lead the design and production of a domestic satellite project. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1064 Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota in western province of Izmir on Saturday. Davutoglu had separate meetings with Bildt and Patriota within the scope of the Fifth Annual Ambassadors Conference. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1063 Turkey aims at $500 billion of exports by 2023, the 100th anniversary of establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey earlier set 150 billion USD of exports as a target for 2012 but it reached 152 billion USD in the mentioned year. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1062 India is expected to grow most between the years 2011-2060 with an annual average gross domestic product of 5.1 percent, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicted. According to the OECD, India will be followed by Indonesia (4.1 pct) and China (4 pct). http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1061 Its engine will also be manufactured by Turkish engineers, which will end Turkey's foreign dependence in that regard. The engine of the unmanned aircraft ANKA manufactured by Turkish engineers will also be Turkish made, reported TRT. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1060 Hundreds of holiday lovers have flooded to Abant and Kartalkaya Skiing Center in the north-western province of Bolu on Sunday. Located between Ankara and Istanbul, a large number of tourists are presently staying in Abant. 99 percent of all hotel roooms in Abant have been booked. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1059 President Abdullah Gul has issued a message on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the death of national poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy, TRT reported. Gul said that the new generation had a lot to learn from Ersoy and such personalities as Mehmet Akif Ersoy need to be explained to future generations in terms of their achievements. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1058 Nearly 700 thousand Turkish citizens pay approximately 50 million euros to get visa from Schengen countries every year. The visa procedure is considered unfair in many courts including the European Court of Justice. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1057 The report of U.S. Congressional Research Services (CRS) stated Turkey was one of the "rising economic powers" in the world. CRS's "Rising Economic Powers and the Global Economy: Trends and Issues for Congress" titled report has been published. The report stated that some developing countries with large population, increasing trade flow and fast growing economies became important players of the world economy. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1056 The arrival of Pegasus Airlines to Alanya Gazipasa Airport on 17 December is a real breakthrough for the airport, which has previously been used for charter operations. The airline’s Ugur Alyakut, Senior Brand Marketing Specialist, said: “We are convinced that this will be a great route for us.” http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1055 The US Embassy in Ankara and the US Consulate General in Istanbul are planning to implement new regulations for US visa applicants, the embassy said in a statement released on Monday. The new regulations are set to come into effect on Dec. 19 and will involve updated appointment scheduling, fee payment and courier delivery services, the statement said. These changes are being made to reduce the cost of applying for a US visa by eliminating the current fees for appointment scheduling and courier delivery of passports. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1054 Director of the Promotions Department at the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Cumhur Guven Tasbasi said on Friday that they did not expect the Turkish tourism sector to grow less than five percent in 2013 although the World Tourism Organization expected global tourism figures to grow around 3-4 percent. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1053 Turkey's European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator for accession talks Egemen Bagis said Istanbul was a city "with a special mission in facilitating" the country's EU integration. "Istanbul is a testimony to the harmony of east and west and, for this reason, it has a special mission in facilitating Turkey's EU path. The city represents Turkey's harmony and diversity, a cultural capital that reflects a centuries-old interaction between cultures and religions," Bagis told in article that appeared in Saturday edition of the English daily Guardian. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1052 Turkey's first Earth observation satellite Gokturk-2 will be launched on Tuesday in China. According to a statement by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), the launch of Turkey's first domestic high resolution observation satellite will be watched live at a ceremony that will be held at the Space Technologies Research Institute of TUBITAK in Ankara with the participation of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1051 Turkish swimming team qualified to the final in men's 4x100m free-style relay with 3:14:40 at the eighth spot in the World Short Course Championship in Istanbul's Sinan Erdem Sports Hall. This was a first ever achievement for Turkey in the history of the championship and they also broke a national record, enhancing it by 11.4 seconds http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1050 TRT, the Turkish broadcaster, cited reduced influence of televoting in the combined 50%/50% telephone/jury voting system for its decision as well as "unfairness" which it said caused by straight-to-the-final competitors Germany, France, England, Spain and Italy, "privileged" partners of the European Broadcasting Union, or EBU. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1049 The European Union has insisted Turkey to sign a readmission deal on illegal immigrants before the 27-member bloc starts talks to facilitate visa requirements for Turkish nationals, a demand Ankara vehemently rejects. In a 20-page road map the EU delivered to Turkey earlier this week on the issue of visa, the bloc said Ankara must first sign and ratify the readmission agreement it agreed with the EU last year. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1048 Despite support from a majority of EU countries, France and Germany stubbornly refuse to provide it with full membership, proposing instead a "privileged partnership" with which Ankara is not satisfied. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1047 Fairy chimneys in one of Turkey's best holiday spots, Cappadocia, look nicer with snow. The Cappadocia region came under snowfall on Tuesday and the whole region turned into white. The snowfall has created a landscape that tourists just can't stop loving. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1046 Turkey sent $2.363 billion development aid to 100 countries all around world in 2011, a report by The Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) revealed. The Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), in its Development Aids Report, exhibited that Turkey supplied aid to 100 countries across five continents. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1045 Turkey has 5.9 million beehives with annual production of 94 thousand tons of honey. Turkey ranks the first in top producers of honeydew honey in the world with 92 percent of the global output, data showed. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1044 Most of exports were made to Russia with 143.07 million U.S. dollars in the mentioned period. Germany, Britain, Romania, the United States, Italy, Iran, Morocco, Poland and Spain followed Russia. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1043 A new era will begin in relations between Turkey and Russia. Volkan Bozkir, chairman of Turkish Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, will also serve as the co-chairman of Turkish-Russia Social Forum. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1042 Turkish exports in November were up 9.93 percent when compared to the same period last year. According to the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM), the Turkish auto sector's exports in the first 11 months of 2012 surpassed the total auto exports in 2010. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1041 Director General of Turksat AS company Dr. Ozkan Dalbay said on Saturday that they had a satellite design project that they named "6A" and that they wanted to begin a project on the satellite by the beginning of 2014. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1040 Turkey's exports in November were up 20 percent when compared to the same term last year and reached a figure of 12.7 billion USD. The Chairman of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) Mehmet Buyukeksi announced export figures pertaining to November in a press conference he held at the Chamber of Trade and Industry of the north-western province of Sakarya on Saturday. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1039 Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan held a meeting on Friday with Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development and Trade Petro Poroshenko in Istanbul. "We want to solve problems related to the free trade agreement and hope to finish it by the end of the year," Caglayan said. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1038 Yildirim told that the total 3G subscribers passed 40 million in Turkey and it made up 59% of mobile phone subscribers which is double the 3G subscription of 30% in Europe http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1037 U.S. singer-actress Jennifer Lopez says she has bought an apartment at the Metropol Istanbul in Turkey's Atasehir Finance Centre. To be completed in 2015, Metropol Istanbul will be one of the biggest mixed projects in the world with its luxury residence, shopping center and recreation areas, its owners said. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1036 Turkish karate player Enes Erkan won Saturday gold medal in +84kg Kumite in the World Karate Championship in Paris. Erkan defeated his Azeri rival Sahin Atamov 3-0 in the finals to claim the top title. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1035 Turkey's flag carrier airlines company, the Turkish Airlines, has launched direct flights to Maldives, the THY said. The first THY flight from Istanbul to Maldives was made on Saturday. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1034 According to an announcement from the Sabanci Foundation, the statue belonging to late Hellenistic era was found as part of the excavations in Metropolis Antique Site in Torbali town of Izmir. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1033 Turkey has introduced its first indigenous main battle tank (MBT) Altay on Thursday in Sakarya, western province of Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the ceremony that Turkey became one of the few countries that could design and produce MBTs and thanked Turkish Defense Ministry, Turkish General Staff, Undersecretariat for Defense Industry, Otokar and all related offices for making Turkey proud. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1032 China's "The Terra Cotta Army" and "The Treasures of China" will be exhibited in Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. More than 100 pieces and five Terra Cotta warriors will be presented as of November 20 at the Topkapi Palace Museum. Usually, China does not send more than one Terra Cotta warrior to a combined exhibition, however China made a special arrangement for Turkey. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1031 According to the household employment survey of TurkStat, statistical institute of Turkey, the number of unemployed people in Turkey has decreased 76,000 to 2,445,000 in August. The rate of unemployment was 8.8 percent with a 0.4 point decrease in August 2012 compared to the same month of the previous year. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1030 Industrial turnover and new order indices increased 4.9 percent in September 2012 compared to September 2011. TurkStat, Turkey's statistical authority, announced the results of industry production survey on Tuesday. In the sub sectors level of industry; mining and quarrying index decreased 1 percent, and manufacturing index increased 5.1 percent in September 2012 compared to September 2011. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1029 Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) announced that there were 120,147 Syrians currently staying in Turkey after fleeing clashes in their country. In a written statement released Friday, AFAD reminded that they set up 5 tent cities in Hatay, 2 in Sanliurfa, 3 in Gaziantep and one each in Osmaniye, Kahramanmaras and Adiyaman and one container city in Kilis. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1027 The 34th edition of Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon kicked off at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. The marathon is organized by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Nearly 13,000 athletes from 88 countries are participating in the marathon. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1026 Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander said on Saturday that the Netherlands was the third largest investor of Turkey after Germany and Britain. Delivering a speech at a seminar in Istanbul, Willem-Alexander said that Turkish-Dutch trade volume tripled in the past decade and it reached 7 billion U.S. dollars annually. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1025 Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan has expressed hope that following Fitch, also other rating institutions would also raise Turkey's grade. Caglayan, who attended the ground-breaking ceremony of DE Meeuw Group-ABC Prefabric Corp.'s factory together with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Ankara, said that Fitch, after 20 years, finally gave Turkey its due. This is not a favor for Turkey, because Turkey has already earned it, said Caglayan, adding that Turkey's grade should be higher than that. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1024 Fitch Ratings upgraded Turkey to investment grade on Monday, a move long coveted by Ankara, citing underlying strengths and an easing in near-term risks for the economy. The credit ratings agency highlighted a moderate and declining government debt burden, a sound banking system, favourable medium-term growth prospects and a relatively wealthy and diverse economy. The upgrade, Turkey's first investment grade rating since 1994, triggered a rally in financial markets. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1023 Official hints of an operational tie-up with Lufthansa drove a jump in Turkish Airlines' shares and left analysts speculating over the possibility of a joint venture on certain routes to Asia. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's declaration on Saturday that he had agreed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to "joint management" of the two companies left most observers scratching their heads. While there are signs Turkey wants to sell a strategic stake in an airline servicing one of the few economies in Europe and Middle East that is growing strongly, analysts say Lufthansa has neither the money nor the inclination for an acquisition. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1022 Merkel offered Turkish PM Erdogan to establish joint management for Germany's national air carrier Lufthansa and Turkey's national air carrier Turkish Airlines (THY). Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said that the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during a recent trip to Germany, offered him to establish joint management for Germany's national air carrier Lufthansa and Turkey's national air carrier Turkish Airlines (THY). http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1021 The "Kadimun Syria School" which would provide elementary and high school education to Syrian children living in Istanbul opened its doors on Sunday. Made possible by Syrian businesspeople and philanthropists living in Turkey, the school will provide education parallel to the curriculum in Syria. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1020 The three-year project will be attended by prospective teachers from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Palestine. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1019 Turkey's Cappadocia region expects to receive more tourists from Brazil after a group of travel agencies from Cappadocia set up a stand at last month's "Abav Tourism Fair" in Rio de Janeiro. Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA), the Manager of Cappadocia Voyager Balloons company, Halis Aydogan underlined that Brazilians showed great interest in their stand at the fair. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1018 Consumer loans were up to 179.5 billion Turkish liras (TL) as of October 24 from 178.9 billion TL a week earlier, according to Turkish Central Bank data released on Friday. Credit card debts were up to TRY66.3 billion. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1017 German Economy Minister Philipp Roesler said that he had not seen a country which developed itself like Turkey in the recent period. Addressing Turkish businessmen during a meeting in Berlin on Thursday, Roesler said that Turkish businessmen ranked the second in the world after China in construction sector, adding that Turkey was Germany's top trade partner. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1016 The TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - Instanbul 2012 is nearly here featuring eight of the best women in the world. This will be the 42nd edition of the star-studded singles event which begins Tuesday. Divided in two groups the Red and White we'll see which lady is on top of her game when it matters most. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1015 Rutte will be accompanied by CEOs and businessmen during the visit. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will pay a formal visit to Turkey between November 5 and 7 within the scope of the 400th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Turkey and the Netherlands. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1014 Summer time practice or daylight saving time in Turkey will end on Sunday, October 28. Clocks in Turkey will go back by one hour at 04.00 a.m. Turkish summer time starts each year on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1013 Turkey began to celebrate four-day Eid al-Adha holiday, or Feast of Sacrifice, on Thursday. Besides Turkey; Macedonia and Albania began to celebrate Eid al-Adha today, while other Islamic countries will begin to celebrate on October 26, and Pakistan, India and Bangladesh on October 27 due to different calculating methods in Islamic calendar, or Hijri calendar. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1012 Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said that Turkey was advancing in becoming Europe's third and world's tenth economy. Speaking at Turkey Investment Conference in New York on Friday, Simsek said that Turkish government was also working on struggle against corruption. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1011 Under the project, 260,000 cubic liters of water will be pumped from the Bosporus into the Kagithane River to ensure the circulation of clean water in the Golden Horn, hence boosting biological diversity. Oxygen levels and biological diversity in the Golden Horn will increase after the conclusion of an environmental project, as part of which 260,000 cubic liters of water are to be pumped into the Golden Horn from Istanbul's Bosporus every day. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1010 Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) completed a project in Nookat town of the south Kyrgyz state of Osh whereby the need of six villages for potable water has been met. A ceremony took place for a 200 tonne water reservoir which would carry potable water to six villages in Nookat town on Monday. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1009 Gazprom on Monday said that the increase in the consignment started on October 19, following the attack on East Anatolia pipeline in Turkey. Russian Gazprom has announced that natural gas sent to Turkey via Blue Stream pipeline was increased to maximum levels for the last 4 days on the request of Turkey. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1008 Construction of the first power unit of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey's southern Mersin city will be completed in 2019. Akkuyu NGS Corp.'s Deputy Director General Rauf Kasumov told AA on Saturday that energy need was increasing in Turkey as the population was increasing each day and as Turkey was one of the most developing countries of the world. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1007 Turkey's economy added 545 thousand jobs in July 2012, the country's statistics authority said Monday. The jobless rate dropped by 0.7 point to 8.4 percent in July 2012 from the same month a year earlier, TurkStat said, adding that the number of the unemployed dropped by 186 thousand y-o-y. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1006 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday that the Turkish economy was expected to grow at a more measured pace of 3 percent in 2012, despite weak growth in the EU. IMF released a concluding statement of the IMF mission for the 2012 Article IV consultation for Turkey. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1005 The number of Syrian refugees housed in camps in southern Turkey has exceeded 100,000, the Turkish disaster management agency (AFAD) said on Monday, a level beyond which Ankara had previously said it would struggle to accommodate more. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1004 The number of air passengers in Turkey exceeded 100 million in the first 9 months of 2012. According to the statistics the Directorate General of State Airports Authority (DHMI), the total number of passengers increased 5.1 percent when compared to the same period last year and was recorded as 108,746,000 as of September 2012. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1003 Summer time practice or daylight saving time in Turkey will end on Sunday, October 28. Clocks in Turkey will go back by one hour at 04.00 a.m. Turkish summer time starts each year on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1002 Turkish Religious Affairs Department will assist the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia in providing education on Islam to 320,000 Muslim children. In a written statement released on Saturday, the Turkish Religious Affairs Department said that they would cooperate with the Ministry of Education of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia in providing courses on the Islamic religion. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1001 Istanbul has been the first choice of foreign healthcare personnel that work in Turkey. A total number of 171 medical personnel started working in Turkey since 2012 after the Turkish Ministry of Health issued a formulation to allow foreign healthcare personnel to work in Turkey. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=1000 Chairman of Turkish Red Crescent Aid Society (Kizilay) Ahmet Lutfi Akar returned to Turkey from North Korea on Saturday. Speaking to reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport, Akar said that they were in North Korea to provide humanitarian assistance after the North Koreans suffered typhoons and floods in recent months. http://www.toroslar.com.tr/readx.asp?id=999 Surfing in Turkey? Yes, it is possible in both the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The waves are fun and break in places like Alanya, Anamur, Embryo Point, Aglaynkaya and Merkez Sile among others. Turkey has joined the International Surfing Association (ISA), surfing's world governing authority recognized by the International Olympic Committee.