Cyprus-Forum.com

[-mikkie2-]

"They can work for stability, prosperity and development of their region. Who needs Turco-Phobic, Islamo-Phobic, meally-mouthed, poor and greedy EU in age of globalisation."

Its the West that in large part keeps Turkey going, both financially and militarily. If Turkey starts to look east then the balance of power in the region will need to change to accomodate - do not underestimate how quickly events can change. Its mainly western finance that invests in Turkey. The first thing that will happen if Turkish EU negotiations stall indefinitely is that huge amounts of foreign investment will be pulled from Turkey. Coupled with the world economic crisis that would be disastrous for the Turkish economy. Much is riding on Decmeber me thinks.

[YFred]

You will be dragged into the 21st century whether you like it or not dear billy boy, with or without your fustanella.


Talking of tickets to Turkey, can any of our TC Londoners advise whether and how much tax we pay when we visit Turkiya from Londonistan with a dodgy UK passport.

The last time I visited Turkey using a - legit - UK passport in 2003 I had to pay 10 pounds for an entry visa. You go to the visa window first, pay ten pounds in cash and they stick the visa in your passport. You can then go through immigration where they place a stamp on the visa.

Don't forget to take a Gıbrısca-Turkish phrase book or dictionary with you.

I got that all in the grey matter mate and I can even turn a few words in Turkiyalica too. You know what I mean?
Thanks for that.
What if you have a dodgy passport, is it a one way ticket on the midnight express?

[Tim Drayton]

You will be dragged into the 21st century whether you like it or not dear billy boy, with or without your fustanella.


Talking of tickets to Turkey, can any of our TC Londoners advise whether and how much tax we pay when we visit Turkiya from Londonistan with a dodgy UK passport.

The last time I visited Turkey using a - legit - UK passport in 2003 I had to pay 10 pounds for an entry visa. You go to the visa window first, pay ten pounds in cash and they stick the visa in your passport. You can then go through immigration where they place a stamp on the visa.

Don't forget to take a Gıbrısca-Turkish phrase book or dictionary with you.

I got that all in the grey matter mate and I can even turn a few words in Turkiyalica too. You know what I mean?
Thanks for that.
What if you have a dodgy passport, is it a one way ticket on the midnight express?

Address everyone as 'big brother/big sister' and not 'cousin' and you will have made a good start.

As to dodgy passports - that is outside my field of expertise.

[insan]

"They can work for stability, prosperity and development of their region. Who needs Turco-Phobic, Islamo-Phobic, meally-mouthed, poor and greedy EU in age of globalisation."

Its the West that in large part keeps Turkey going, both financially and militarily. If Turkey starts to look east then the balance of power in the region will need to change to accomodate - do not underestimate how quickly events can change. Its mainly western finance that invests in Turkey. The first thing that will happen if Turkish EU negotiations stall indefinitely is that huge amounts of foreign investment will be pulled from Turkey. Coupled with the world economic crisis that would be disastrous for the Turkish economy. Much is riding on Decmeber me thinks.

If western investors still have interests in Iran and it dramatically increases every year; we can expect a far better situation on Turkey- West trade relations if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Iran: EU trade increases despite sanctions


Tehran, 13 April (AKI) - Trade between Iran and the European Union rose by 10 percent last year, despite ongoing economic sanctions, an Iranian foreign ministry official said on Monday. Houshang Karimi, the ministry's director-general in charge of Europe, told a university students in Shahrekord, in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in the country's southwest.

According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, Karimi said the volume of trade between Iran and the 27 countries that make up the EU, reached 26 billion euros in 2008, despite sanctions imposed on Iran in opposition to its nuclear programme.

Karimi also told the students that Iran's goal was to expand its ties with all the countries of the world except the "Zionist regime", a common reference to Israel.

He reiterated that Iran had proved to the world that it followed an independent foreign policy.

The EU is Iran's largest trading partner accounting for almost a third of its exports, however, the contentious issue of Iran's alleged nuclear programme has strained relations.

"Trade with Iran is subject to certain restrictions derived from the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council on Iran through UN security council resolution 1737 of 23 of December 2006 and 1747 of 24 of March 2007," the European Commission said on its website.

The commission is the executive branch of the European Union.

"Trade restrictions with Iran are regulated by council regulations 423/2007 and 618/2007, which set out a list of products prohibited from export to Iran."

Negotiations for a trade agreement between the EU and Iran initiated in 2002 have been on hold since August 2005, when Iran resumed its nuclear activities, the commission said.

The United States, the EU and other western powers suspect Iran may be using its nuclear development programme to covertly build atomic weapons.

However, Iran has consistently claimed its uranium enrichment programme is entirely peaceful and aimed solely at civilian nuclear power, in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The international treaty is aimed at stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Bu ... 3211709262

[Tim Drayton]

"They can work for stability, prosperity and development of their region. Who needs Turco-Phobic, Islamo-Phobic, meally-mouthed, poor and greedy EU in age of globalisation."

Its the West that in large part keeps Turkey going, both financially and militarily. If Turkey starts to look east then the balance of power in the region will need to change to accomodate - do not underestimate how quickly events can change. Its mainly western finance that invests in Turkey. The first thing that will happen if Turkish EU negotiations stall indefinitely is that huge amounts of foreign investment will be pulled from Turkey. Coupled with the world economic crisis that would be disastrous for the Turkish economy. Much is riding on Decmeber me thinks.

What attracts this Western investment is that Turkey is in a customs union with the EU. Whether or not Turkey eventually accedes to full membership is irrelevant to these investors.

[Get Real!]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

[Paphitis]

"They can work for stability, prosperity and development of their region. Who needs Turco-Phobic, Islamo-Phobic, meally-mouthed, poor and greedy EU in age of globalisation."

Its the West that in large part keeps Turkey going, both financially and militarily. If Turkey starts to look east then the balance of power in the region will need to change to accomodate - do not underestimate how quickly events can change. Its mainly western finance that invests in Turkey. The first thing that will happen if Turkish EU negotiations stall indefinitely is that huge amounts of foreign investment will be pulled from Turkey. Coupled with the world economic crisis that would be disastrous for the Turkish economy. Much is riding on Decmeber me thinks.

If western investors still have interests in Iran and it dramatically increases every year; we can expect a far better situation on Turkey- West trade relations if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Iran: EU trade increases despite sanctions


Tehran, 13 April (AKI) - Trade between Iran and the European Union rose by 10 percent last year, despite ongoing economic sanctions, an Iranian foreign ministry official said on Monday. Houshang Karimi, the ministry's director-general in charge of Europe, told a university students in Shahrekord, in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in the country's southwest.

According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, Karimi said the volume of trade between Iran and the 27 countries that make up the EU, reached 26 billion euros in 2008, despite sanctions imposed on Iran in opposition to its nuclear programme.

Karimi also told the students that Iran's goal was to expand its ties with all the countries of the world except the "Zionist regime", a common reference to Israel.

He reiterated that Iran had proved to the world that it followed an independent foreign policy.

The EU is Iran's largest trading partner accounting for almost a third of its exports, however, the contentious issue of Iran's alleged nuclear programme has strained relations.

"Trade with Iran is subject to certain restrictions derived from the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council on Iran through UN security council resolution 1737 of 23 of December 2006 and 1747 of 24 of March 2007," the European Commission said on its website.

The commission is the executive branch of the European Union.

"Trade restrictions with Iran are regulated by council regulations 423/2007 and 618/2007, which set out a list of products prohibited from export to Iran."

Negotiations for a trade agreement between the EU and Iran initiated in 2002 have been on hold since August 2005, when Iran resumed its nuclear activities, the commission said.

The United States, the EU and other western powers suspect Iran may be using its nuclear development programme to covertly build atomic weapons.

However, Iran has consistently claimed its uranium enrichment programme is entirely peaceful and aimed solely at civilian nuclear power, in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The international treaty is aimed at stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Bu ... 3211709262

I really do hope that Turkey builds much closer ties with Iran. I also hope Turkey continues its diplomatic attack on Israel. Then the stage will be set...

This will no doubt pave the way for the RoC to consolidate and build bridges with the "evil" empire such as the US and Israel itself. Perhaps Cyprus can pick up where Turkey left off and sign a mutual Defence Pact and even allow the IAF to use the Nicosia FIR for training.

I am a selfish guy, and will do anything that will benefit the RoC....Sure its pretty sad what the Israeli's have done to the Palestinians. But if they are the key, since they might have the interests to act in the RoC's favor, then so be it!

But are Cypriot politicians smart enough???

[insan]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

[-mikkie2-]

"What attracts this Western investment is that Turkey is in a customs union with the EU. Whether or not Turkey eventually accedes to full membership is irrelevant to these investors."

That is partly true. However, long term stability is at issue here and if there is one thing investors want, its long term stability. With Cyprus problem unsolved there is no guarantee of long term stability. Also, with growing islamisation in Turkey (with the blessings of the AKP), this can only lead to radical islamist groups taking hold in Turkey. You only have to look at the mess Pakistan has got itself in - a country which is close to collapse.

[Paphitis]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

Turkey is way too late!!!!

APEC are now discussing EU style custom unions between its member states.

APEC was established in 1989 and is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC operates on the basis of non-binding commitments and open dialogue. Decisions made within APEC are reached by consensus and commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis.

APEC has 21 Member Economies: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Republic of the Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam.

http://www.dfat.gov.au/apec/

Turkey will always miss the boat I'm afraid....