Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) published a report titled 'Turkey-US relations: A new partnership-' which says, "Longstanding U.S. ties with Turkey, which have stressed security and strategic arrangements, have the potential to develop into a robust economic and diplomatic partnership, especially in the Middle East and Central Asia."
Meeting of the new report was held in New York with the attendance of Madeleine Albright, former U.S. secretary of state, and Stephen Hadley, former U.S. National Security Advisor, and Steven Cook, the director of 'Turkey - US relations' project and senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies of CFR. Cook said that Justice and Development (AK) Party had a democratic and clear sense of politics by governing the country. Albright said that AK Party had been very close to the community and successful by finding out what the community needed in terms of services. For keeping up with democracy, it's important to have a strong opposition, intellectual freedom and law abiding country, Albright said. Stephen Hadley highlighted that Turkey's growing economy, modernization and it's strong role in the Middle East introduces new Turkey to the world and it becomes an example country for countries who go through Arab Spring. Hadley said that since AK party came to power, they had not faced a strong opposition. Hadley underlined the changes that Turkey was going through and there had to be a new relation between Turkey and US. Hadley said, "Turkey has a strong position within the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia which is a perfect ally and partner for the US. However, to complete it both sides have to change their point of view, create trust and work together on taking decisions. Turkey has to reach to being our closest ally. When the US president would like to discuss the foreign policies over the phone, Turkey has to be on the top of the list." Steven Cook explained that there is a close relationship with Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Barack Obama and he believed that their relationship should go beyond personal and bring two countries closer. Albright expressed her thoughts about Turkey's EU membership and said, "I think, Europeans took a wrong decision because Turkey has strong relations within the region and with other countries." |
Turkey-US Relations: New Partnership Report of CFR
PRESIDENT FELIPE CALDERÓN IN HOUSTON
During his working tour of the United States, Mexican President Felipe Calderón met with the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston
Partnership, led by its president, Anthony Chase. The Greater Houston Partnership is the most important business organization in the state of Texas.
President Calderón informed an audience of 160 business owners including Board members of Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce of the importance of bilateral relations between Mexico and the state of Texas, due to the level of trade and cultural exchange between the two societies. In 2011, Mexico purchased 35 per cent of Texan imports, totaling $86.63 billion dollars.
The president highlighted the importance of trade liberalization for Mexico, which has positioned it on the international scenario with active
participation in key multilateral economic forums, as the G20 Chair and also as a strategic export platform and an excellent place for doing business.
He pointed out that Mexico’s inclusion in the Transpacific Alliance is an important step in this respect, since it is attempting to be a model for free trade agreements in the future that will comprise Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States.
Lastly, President Calderón highlighted the fact that the countries in this alliance account for 37 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product, 15 per cent of world exports and 19 per cent of global imports. For Mexico, it would provide access to a market equivalent to approximately $180 billion dollars.
Secretary Bryson: Turkey's Moment is Now
US Secretary of Commerce John Bryson has praised the economic progress Turkey has made in the past decade, adding that it is
certainly not unreasonable to expect Turkey to become one of the 10 largest economies in the world.
Speaking at a lunch jointly organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) and the progressive think tank Center for American Progress (CAP) in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Bryson said, “Ankara's goal to push Turkey into the top 10 economies by its centennial in 2023 -- the ‘10 by 23' plan -- is an entirely plausible target.”
Turkey is currently the 16th largest economy of the world with a gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly $800 billion at the end of 2011. Between 2002 and last year, its average rate of economic growth was 5.4 percent. This year the government expects another 4 percent of GDP expansion and aims to sustain a growth rate of 5 percent in the long term. Other than the top 10 economies goal, the country also seeks to bring its export volume up to $500 billion -- it was $135 billion last year -- and to develop its own national car and airplane brands by 2023. 
Turkish Economy Minister's Revealing Speech Concerning Turkish Airlines and Incentive Package For Foreign Investors at TTACC's event.
Turkey’s national airline carrier, Turkish Airlines, would commence direct flights to Houston by the end of 2012 at the
latest, Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan announced during a dinner organized by the Texas Turkish-American Chamber of Trade (TTACC) in Houston, Texas.
Houston would be the fifth direct U.S. destination for the carrier as Turkish Airlines already flies to New York, Chicago, Washington D.C and Los Angeles.
Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan introduced the details of a new comprehensive incentive scheme. Turkey’s new investment incentive scheme is the world’s greatest system, and will hopefully lead to an international investment boom, Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan said in Omni Hotel .
Investments will be supported to varying degrees based on four categories: region, scale of investment, strategic investment and general incentive applications, Çağlayan said. According to the scheme, provinces fall under six categories in terms social and economic development.
Zafer Çağlayan announced Turkish Airlines will start flying to Houston
Turkish Airlines to launch new US route to tighten trade ties
Turkish Airlines will start flying to Houston, its fifth direct destination in the US, before the
end of this year, Minister Zafer Çağlayan says. American corporations show interest in investing in Turkey, the visiting minister also says
Houston would be the fifth direct U.S. destination for the carrier as Turkish Airlines already flies to New York, Chicago, Washington D.C and Los Angeles. (A.A)
North Texas and Turkey: exploring commonalities by Mabrie Jackson(Today's Zaman)
One is known for oil derricks, cattle drives and J.R. Ewing, and the other for whirling dervishes, the Silk Road and opulent architecture.
Expectations are a funny thing, especially when one gets to experience it first-hand. Last August, I accompanied a group of my fellow Texans to Turkey, full of our own set of expectations that we had to let go of. We expected an ancient civilization with roots as deep as the foundation of Hagia Sophia; we found a vibrant economy as bustling as Taksim Square. We expected a unique culture steeped in the traditions of both the East and the West; we found a dynamic and progressive society on the cutting edge of innovation in technology and manufacturing. We expected a regional leader; we found an emerging powerhouse on the European stage with global ambitions. After only a few days, we realized that we needed to recalibrate our expectations.
Although Turkey’s many unfamiliar sights and experiences took our breath away, it was Turkey’s similarities to North Texas -- the Dallas-Fort Worth region -- that amazed us the most. Both North Texas and Turkey have large, robust and growing economies; indeed, if North Texas was its own country, its gross domestic product (GDP) would be 26th in the world, only a few spots behind Turkey’s rank of 17th. Just as Turkey is a gateway to Europe and Asia, we see Texas as a gateway to North America, from the snowy plains of Canada to the tropical forests of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Like Turkey, we also have a highly educated work force -- North Texas’s more than 30 higher education institutions are home to almost 350,000 students, and over 1.3 million of our 6.5 million residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
With so many similarities, it is a surprise that there are not more ties between our two economies. North Texas is home to 20 Fortune 500 companies eager to find new business opportunities in emerging markets like Turkey. Companies such as Lockheed Martin, Transatlantic and Texas Pacific Group are leading the way by establishing high-tech production facilities in Turkey; and we hope to see more Turkish companies with their US facilities based in North Texas.
So, why should North Texas businesses and Turkish executives partner together? Our similarities unite us and give both areas an opportunity to work together to mutually support each region’s rise towards its global potential. Both regions have proven economic stability and staying power, even while neighboring states and countries face challenges. And, Turkey and North Texas have taken on prominent roles in leading our respective regions out of recession by fostering vibrant markets and setting good examples of policies to encourage growth.
We boast the third-lowest distribution costs of any region, and are home to numerous intermodal transport options, allowing for the efficient transport of goods from all over the world. And, DFW International Airport -- our region’s most important asset -- connects us to 48 international destinations, including the Middle East through its addition of direct service to Dubai on Emirates.
An immediate opportunity for cooperation is in the energy field. Faced with your incredible growth opportunity, there will be a need to ensure that energy supply stays in lockstep with demand. Our state has a long and deep history in energy with expertise in fossil fuels, natural gas and alternative sources such as wind and solar. North Texas businesses should also take advantage of Turkey’s position as a “Gateway to the Middle East” and utilize your country as a major logistics hub.
North Texas is open for business, and we are eager to build a stronger relationship with Turkey. On our visit, we saw that Turkey and North Texas are not so different. We both hold in common the most important traits necessary to stand on the global stage: dynamic economies, central locations, highly educated workforces and, perhaps most importantly, the desire to cooperate for each other’s mutual benefit. Our customs and culture may be different, but when it comes to doing business, we both speak the same language.
We believe in Turkey. And, we hope Turkey believes in North Texas.
*Mabrie Jackson is the president and CEO of the North Texas Commission, an organization that markets, advocates and fosters collaboration for the North Texas region.
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