Turkish Famous Photographer, Ara Guler

He was born in Istanbul in 1928.In the year of 1951 he was graduated from Gentronagan High School.When he was in High School he worked in film studios in all aspects of cinema business.In the same years he went on Muhsin Ertuğrul’s theatre courses.He was aiming to be a stage director or a play wright.

He began to his journalistic life in Yeni İstanbul newspaper in 1950.In these years his stories was published in Armenian journals and literary reviews.At the same time, he was studying in Economics in İstanbul University.He worked in Hayat Magazine as a photografy department chief until the year of 1961.Photografy Annual that was published in England defined him as one of the seven best photographers in the world in 1961.In the same year he was accepted ASMP(American Magazine Photographers Association) and he became the only member of that association in Istanbul.

His photographs were used in the most important publications in photography world,also he was talked about by that areas.He opened exhibitions in USA,Germany,Paris.By the way he made interviews and took photagraphs a great many of famous people like Bertrand Russel, Winston Churchill, Arnold Toynbee, Picasso, Salvador Dali.He obtained the firstplace in the competition of photojournalism that was aranged by Türkiye Journalists Association.

In 1980 some of his phographs published as a book by Karacan Yayıncılık.He photographed Mimar Sinan book thas was written by Prof. Abdullah Kuran and published by Hürriyet Vakfı(Hürriyet Cognizant) in 1986.This book was published in english in 1987 by the Institute of Turkish Studies.In 1989 Hil publishing house published the book Ara Güler’s Cinema Actors/Actresses.The photographs of Mimar Sinan Works that he was dealing with for long years was published by Edition Arthaud in France in 1992,by Thomas and Hudson in USA and England,by Archipelago Press in Singapore under the name of Turkish Style and also in France by Albin Michel publishing house by the name of Demeures Ottomanes de Turquie.The World Companies Group published “Eski İstanbul Anıları” in 1994,”Yitirilmiş Renkler” in 1995.Also Ana publishing house published “Bir Devir Böyle Geçti” and ” Kalanlara Selam Olsun” in 1994,” Yüzlerinde Yeryüz” in 1995.

A many great of Ara Güler’s photographs are on exhibition in varios museums in USA,France and Germany.

Citigroup Buying Stake in Turkish Bank Akbank

NEW YORK (AP) - Citigroup Inc. , the nation's largest financial institution, said Tuesday it has agreed to buy a 20 percent stake in the Turkish bank Akbank for about $3.1 billion.

Citigroup said Akbank is a full-service retail, commercial, corporate and private bank in Turkey, with assets of $35.8 billion, making it the third-largest in Turkey. Its loan portfolio is valued at $17.7 billion, and its deposit base at $22.7 billion.

The deal is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 60 days to 90 days, Citigroup said.

Citigroup shares fell 10 cents to close at $50.05 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Citigroup said Sabanci Holding, a 34 percent owner of Akbank shares -- together with its subsidiaries, which own an additional block of shares in Akbank -- have granted Citigroup a right of first refusal or first offer over the sale of any of their Akbank shares in the future.

In addition, Citigroup has granted a right of first refusal or first offer over its Akbank shares to Sabanci, Citigroup said.

Citigroup said the deal also establishes a strategic collaboration between Citigroup and Akbank to pursue new commercial activities, referral arrangements and joint ventures.

The terms also grant Citigroup the right to appoint one non-executive director to Akbank's nine-person board, and the Sabanci Group the right to appoint one non-executive director to the board of Citigroup's Turkey subsidiary.

Citigroup has had operations in Turkey since 1975; its holdings constitute the 19th largest bank in Turkey with assets of about $2.1 billion and deposits of $1.6 billion.

Citigroup's Press Release
Source: Associated Press

Turkey's Orhan Pamuk wins Nobel Literature Prize

Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk won the Nobel literature prize on Thursday, for his multitude of works that deal with the symbols of clashing cultures.

The Swedish Academy said that Pamuk "in the quest for the melancholic soul of his native city has discovered new symbols for the clash and interlacing of cultures."

Turkish National Soccer Team wins Moldova 5 to 0

Turkey 5 Moldova 0

Turkish National Soccer Team won the important Moldova game. Fatih Terim has coached the national team during this victory.

Four goals from Hakan Sukur, including a stunning nine-minute first-half hat-trick, ensured Turkey strolled to victory over Moldova.

It was goalless in Frankfurt until the 35th minute when Sukur grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, firing three in quick succession to leave the visitors shell-shocked.

And the rout was completed in the second half when Tuncay Sanli headed home and Sukur added his fourth to send Moldova home with their tails between their legs.

The striker will only wish the Turkish fans had been there to see it - the match was played in neutral territory after UEFA imposed a three-game penalty following Turkey's post-match brawl at their World Cup play-off encounter with Switzerland last year.

Moldova received their first warning in the 10th minute when Serghei Pascenco fumbled Hamit Altintop's shot into the path of Sukur, who put the ball over the bar.

Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances and Alexandru Epureanu snuffed out Sabri Sarioglu's shot to keep the visitors on equal terms.

But the home side sprung to life in the 35th minute when Sarioglu's cross from the right was nodded in by Sukur from six yards.

It was the start of a devastating rampage from the striker, and he doubled the lead from the spot two minutes later, after Epureanu fouled Arda Turan in the box.

Six minutes later it was three, as Gokdeniz Karadeniz found Sukur in the box and his header made its way in off the bar.

The half-time interval couldn't come quickly enough for Moldova and things settled down after the break.

But it was to be brief respite, as Tuncay made it four as he headed home Marco Aurelio's cross from the left on 68 minutes.

And Sukur rounded off a fantastic night as he sent a neat left-foot effort past Pascenco five minutes later to claim his fourth.

Guler Sabanci Ranks 9th Amongst Europe's most Powerful Women

Described as “tough and unpretentious,” Guler Sabanci placed 9th on The Financial Times’ yearly list of the Top 25 Business Women of Europe.

Güler Sabancı (1955) is a female member of the renowned Sabancı family in third generation, and currently the chairperson of the family controlled Sabancı Holding, the second biggest industrial and financial conglomerate of Turkey. Source: Wikipedia.org

Sabanci, who was on the list last year as well, was described by the daily as the first woman to lead a huge Turkish company. After beginning work at her family’s tire factory in Izmit 28 years ago, she now presides over Turkey’s second-biggest business conglomerate, Sabanci Holdings.

The company plans to invest $3bn in power stations and electricity distribution systems, raising Sabanci’s share of electricity produced in Turkey from two percent to 10 percent over the next five years.

The newspaper also wrote that Sabanci is confident that Turkey is starting a new era of economic growth and she can see plenty of opportunities ahead.

She also says her company must lead the way in the energy sector. She is keenly aware of how much her company’s future hinges on Turkey’s progress in joining the European Union. She recently told The Financial Times that Turkey was “on track” to do so in about 10 years.

In a recent speech to students at Sabanci University, where she is chairman of the board of trustees, she encouraged them to “think critically and independently”, and be “self-assured, self-aware and purpose-oriented.”

Guler Sabanci is #65 at Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women :

Turkey's most powerful businesswoman, Sabanci took over as board chairman of the Sabanci conglomerate in May 2004 after the death of chairman Sakip Sabanci, her uncle, who made it clear he wanted neither of his two brothers nor any of their numerous male offspring to succeed him as head. Instead, he chose his niece. Sabanci, a reformed chain smoker, is a strong advocate of Turkey joining the EU. Formerly head of the group's tire production division, which she joined in 1978, Sabanci also looks after Sabanci University, which the family established in the mid-1990s on the outskirts of Istanbul, and runs a private vineyard with an uncle under the Tracia brand. She is planning to spend around $3 billion over the next five years to build new power stations and electricity distribution systems to help feed the country's expanding needs.

Source article at Forbes.com

Article about Guler Sabanci at economist.com :

TURKISH industry is dominated by two vast family businesses, both of which have recently handed over their top jobs to a new generation of 40-somethings. The Europeanised Koc group passed the reins to Mustafa Koc, the eldest of the chairman's three sons, in 2003. But before Sakip Sabanci died last year, he let it be known that he wanted neither of his two brothers nor any of their numerous male offspring to succeed him as head of the far more traditional Sabanci family business. Rather, he chose his niece, Guler. It was a choice that he had been hinting at for at least a decade.

Read the full article at economist.com

Germans Companies in Turkey don't Regret Their Investments

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was in Turkey for official contacts last week.

Referring to the economic and political salience of Merkel’s visit to Turkey, experts note that the stable political relations will further improve economic relations.

Chairman of the German-Turkish Chamber of Trade and Industry Teoman Yelkencioglu says the German companies are ambitious to make investments in Turkey. Yelkencioglu stresses that the businessmen on Merkel’s delegation had very good impressions about Turkey.

Nothing that some German businessmen want to increase their investments in Turkey while others want to make new investments, Yelkencioglu said that business delagtions have been visiting Turkey to examine the Turkish market first hand.

Pointing out that more than 2,300 German firms have invested in Turkey so far, Yelkencioglu says: “None of them is regretful. Those who cautiously made investments in the past are now coming for more investment.”

However, he also notes that the firms have slight complaints about the high cost of energy as well as security issues in Southeastern Turkey.

The high level representatives in Merkel’s delegation from Eurocopter Deutschland, Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller, ThyssenKrupp Marine System, Diehl Stffung and Co, Berlinwasser International, OHB System, ALSTOM Power, HOFFMANN Power, METRO, Steigenberger Hotels, KATAG, BTC AG, WALL AG, SIEMENS, Flemming&Pehrsson, and Sahinler Group Europa met with Turkish businessmen.

Sumela Monastery (Soumela, Soumelas), Panagia tou Melas

Sumela Monastery occurs in Altındere village which is one of the townships of Trabzon. It was set on a rock cliff of the skirts of mountain Karadağ. Nearly has 300 meters height from the valley.
For a known myth of it's establishment; Two priests,Barnabas and his niece,Sophronios saw a dream about Virgin Mary. In their dreams,she told that they should built a monastery,where they can built it and how they can go there.

The priets carried out the tableau painted by St.Luca,which represents the chieldhood of Jesus and St.Mary,by the sea.They had arranged with volunteers to built monastery and set up the first church on the rock at the term of I.Thedosis in the Byzantine Empire (375-395).

After the dead of priests, Sumela Monestery was established as a holly temple by all Christians who are mentioned as both Catholic and Orthodox.

III.Alexios - the prince of Kommen Empire - had weared his crown in this monastery then the prince had restructured it as a brand_new foundation (1360).72 rooms existing monastery was worth priceless by the kings of Trabzon and saved until today.

After the victory of Turks against early masters of this monastery,sultans of the Ottoman Empire didn't avoid the rights of the monastery.

The importance of Sumela Monastery which is also known as Virgin Mary Monastery is the interesting structure with a unique beauty place in nature and also the wall and ceiling decorations made in various ages.

The main subjects on frescos with a fairly ruined outlook and in patches to be pulled up is the scenes from Bible and the descriptions about Virgin Mary and Jesus.

On 1962, its stairs and gate was put in repair and getting available for tourists visits.Reaching the monastery is about nearly 25-30 minutes walk in forest.

Every August 14,there is a ceremony in Sumela Monastery.Everyone that comes to Trabzon should visit this monastery which can have an important place in the city tourism.

Wow Hotels in Antalya, Kremlin Palace

Building with a unique architecture of Kremlin Palace, Wow Hotels Kremlin Palace occurs near the seaside.The distance of Antalya Airport is 20km and the transferring time is nearly 20 minutes. Wow Hotels Kremlin Palace is constructed on 75 hectares area.With 837 rooms, it’s a big and luxury foundation.Entrance of Wow Hotels, is named as ‘Gate of Resurrection’ that stands on Kremlin Square in Moskow.With a chic lobby,main restaurant,reception and conference center, the main building is almost like a real copy of the 'Museum of History'. Wow Hotels has a perfect sandy beach with two long piers.That's also suitable for water sports.This coast was awarded with 'Blue Flag' in 2005 because of it's clear waters.

The Facilities and Equipments that Wow Hotels presents their customers :

Entertainments for family;
Amphitheater,Airconditioned indoor disco ,Night shows,Beach party,Fun and pool games,Boccia,Live music,Mini club(4-7 years), Kids club(8-12 years), Teens club(13-16 years), Kids animation, Kids football, kids pool games, Kids lunch and dinner and kids disco ,kids games and sport activities,Kids aquapark with 3 water slides ,Aquapark with 6 slides for adults, an indoor pool with jaccuzi, an outdoor pool for kids, a semi-olympic indoor pool and indoor pool for kids.Beach couches, mats,umbrellas and beach towels are free.Internet cafe ,billiards room, bowling.Covered play ground for kids,hair dresser (hair wash and hair cut free), Wow butique , markets and various shops …

Restaurants & Bars;
Buffet breakfest, lunch and dinner service in the air-conditioned main restaurant “Stolitsa”, including no smoking section and a terrace,A’la Carte Restaurants : La Gondola Italian Restaurant, Pasha Turkish Restaurant, El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant, Sushi Japanese Restaurant (charged service),bars: Divo Bar(Lobby bar), Elegiya Bar, Zvezda(pool bar), Arbat bar,Beach Bar, Disco bar,Vitamin Bar, Pushkin Cafe (charged service)…

Sports & Health;
Tennis,table tenis, Beach volley,darts, archery, Air rifle, Mini football,Sailing,Aerobic,water aerobic,step,Stretching,Fitness center,Sauna,Windsurf,canoe,diving school,sailin school,tennis school,squash,Jogging tracks,basketball,bike tours,water ski,banana,Kneeboard,Trampoline…

Charged Services;
Charged Services are Ringo,parasailing,Beauty center, massage, doctor, Baby-sitter, Laundry services, magazines and newspapers,Telephone,Car rental, Pay-TV/Internet in rooms,Room service, special wine menus at A’la carte restaurants,pavillions at the beach…

Wow Kremlin Palace
Kundu Köyü Calkaya Antalya Türkiye 00 90 242 431 24 00 - 00 90 242 431 24 16 info@wowkremlin.com - reservation@wowhotels.com

Paramount Pictures Builds Theme Park in Ankara, Turkey

The theme park will be built by Paramount Pictures in Ankara on a 3 million square meter lot in the Aşagı Yurtcu-Ballıkuyumcu region on the Eskisehir Motorway. The investment has a value $1 bn.

Paramount Parks, a Paramount Pictures enterprise that was sold to Cedar Fair, L.P. in 2006 for $1.24 billion, has chosen Ankara for its new investment. The company has advanced a proposal to the Turkish Housing Development Administration (TOKI) to build a giant recreation park in Ankara. The theme park will be built on a 3 million square meter lot in the Asagi Yurtcu-Ballıkuyumcu region on the Eskisehir Motorway, where TOKİ has a project for the construction of 20 thousand residences.

The investment has a value of approximately 1 billion dollars. TOKİ Vice President Erdogan Bayraktar stated that Ankara is company’s own choice for the construction of the theme park that it wants to build in Turkey, which is planned to be a giant recreation center for the whole Middle East along with Western Europe. Bayraktar also added that the project will be started in 2007. Negotiations continue with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to include some authentic Turkish designs in the theme park as well.

COMPLETED IN 2-3 YEARS

However, the conditions under which the land will be granted to the company are still not clear. The parties are still bargaining over whether TOKİ will sell the land, rent it for 49-50 years, or have a share in the profits. The construction of the theme park is planned to start next year and would be finished in 2-3 years. The park will provide jobs for ten thousand people in its construction stage, and when it is completed 30 thousand people are projected to be employed there.

The company estimates it will receive 3 million visitors a year for the park that it plans as the biggest recreation center of the Middle East. Ankara (A.A) - Fatma Orhan

PARAMOUNT PARKS

Paramount Parks was an operator of theme parks and attractions, which annually attract about 13 million patrons. The company once owned and operated five theme parks in North America and managed Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, California.

On January 27, 2006, the CBS Corporation announced its intent to sell Paramount Parks due to the fact that it didn't fit well within the company's core business (producing and distributing television content). On June 30, 2006, Cedar Fair, L.P. announced that it has completed its acquisition of Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation in a cash transaction valued at $1.24 billion.

Cedar Fair now owns 12 major amusement parks, 11 operating in the United States, with one operating in Canada. They also manage the unique attraction, Star Trek: The Experience, in Las Vegas, Nevada, along with a small theme park, Bonfante Gardens. Cedar Fair's flagship park, Cedar Point, has been voted The Best Amusement Park In The World for 10 consecutive years.

Based on stock value, Cedar Fair is the most successful amusement park chain behind Disney. Including results from the Paramount Parks since their acquisition, combined revenues through July 30 totaled $428.2 million. Over this same period, combined attendance totaled 9.7 million visits, average in-park guest per capita spending was $38.22.

CEDAR FAIR’ PARKS

• Bonfante Gardens (Gilroy, California)
• Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
• Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
• Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom (Aurora, Ohio)
• Knott's Berry Farm (Buena Park, California)
• Michigan's Adventure (Muskegon, Michigan)
• Paramount Canada's Wonderland (Vaughan, Ontario, Canada)
• Paramount's Carowinds (Charlotte, North Carolina)
• Paramount's Great America (Santa Clara, California)
• Paramount's Kings Dominion (Doswell, Virginia)
• Paramount's Kings Island (Mason, Ohio)
• Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, Missouri)
• Valleyfair! (Shakopee, Minnesota)

Source: TurkofAmerica.com

Turkish Candidate Forced to Recognize Alleged Armenian Genocide

Nebahat Albayrak, in second position on the list of the main opposition Labour Party (PvdA) candidates, has recognized the so-called Armenian genocide.

After the main Dutch parties removed three Turkish candidates from their electoral lists, Albayrak said she backed the parliamentary motion describing the deaths as genocide, in an interview with the analysis magazine HP/De Tijd, adding that the form of its occurrence needs to be investigated.

Albayrak, who has served in the parliament since 1998, in her previous statements said the jurists would determine the use of “genocide” in response to the Armenian Diaspora’s claims, and avoided using the definition in her interviews.

The media strongly criticized Albayrak for being indecisive.

Meanwhile, Turkish candidates Ayhan Tonca , Osman Elmaci (CDA) and Erdinc Sacan (PvdA) were removed from the election list for the general elections.

Fatih Terim Famous Turkish Football Coach

He was born in 1953. Having been a child of a poor family, he had to work with his father in a variety of tough jobs since his childhood.

Fatih Terim, who spent his free time playing football with his friends, attended the Technical Engine Insitute by his father's wish.Terim, who never liked school life as football, had to give up his education because of the lack of continuity to his school.

When he was just 16 years old (1969), he did a choice about his future and began his football life in Adana Demirspor. In a short time, having a different football technique and style, he could manage to attract the attentions and became the captain of the team.

In the third year of 6 year career in Adana Demirspor(1972), against the rules and authoroties, he was invited to play for the Turkish National Young Team.

He carried the national uniform for 51 times, he had the record to take place in the national team from 1984 to 1995. Having shown big success in the national team, he was transferred to Galatasaray and played there for 11 years, he showed a great ambition and success by feeling the soul of yellow-red color which forms the colors of the uniform of Galatasaray.

After his 11 years play in Galatasaray, he made his jubilee with avery big celebration by landing a helicopter on the sports field.

He went to the courses to be a sports trainer after quiting football. He worked as a sports trainer in Ankaragucu for one year and in Goztepe for 2 years.

In October 1993, he took place in the national team as a sports trainer for the first time. After that, he started having big accomplishments one by one.

He was the person who carried National Team to the European Football Championship which was held in England.

Then, emperor (that is how people call him), worked in Galatasaray, made this team champion for four years. He is a football coach who tries to take care of every problem from economical to physiological problems of his football players. That desire made him win the UEFAcup for the first time in turkish football history.

Fatih Terim, who made Galatasaray win the UEFA cup in 1999-2000 season, continued his career being a football coach of Fiorentina which is a team from Italy Primary Football League . He took the attractions of the public opinion by his successes in this team.

In the season 2001-2002 he made a deal with Milan which is one of the most famous football team in the world. Unfortunately he had to leave his mission in the middle of the first season.

Fatih Terim, who is called 'emperor' by his fans took the mission of being the coach of Galatasaray again in season 2003-2004. In the 27th week of this season, he quited from his job. In 2005, he started working in the national team again. At the moment, Turkish National Team is trying to eliminate the rivals to take place in the European Cup.

Fatih Terim, who is known with his assertive sports training style and charismatic personality, is the living legend of turkish football history.

Crisis Ends As Turkish Hijacker Surrenders

Turkish Airlines Flight was Hijacked yesterday, and final news have been coming in after the hijacker surrenders.

A Turkish hijacker who diverted a Turkish airliner to the southern Italian airport of Brindisi on Tuesday handed himself over to police some two hours after landing.

The plane, a Boeing 737 belonging to Turkish Airlines, was intercepted and escorted to Brindisi airport by two Italian military jets.

Turkish Airlines said the plane had been hijacked while traveling from the Albanian capital of Tirana to Istanbul, adding none of the 113 passengers and crew abroad had been hurt.

Shortly before 8 p.m. local time in Italy, the plane's co-pilot disembarked from the plane and began talking to police and other officials.

According to Italian national civil aviation agency ENAC, the hijacker, who had not behaved aggressively, said he was ready to release the passengers.

The motive behind the hijacking was not clear. But ENAC officials said he wanted to give a message to the Vatican pope.

Turkish television said the hijacker wanted to protest against Pope Benedict's planned trip to Turkey in late November.

The hijacker had wanted the plane to land in Rome but was forced by the Italian military jets to divert to Brindisi, report said.

Turkish Airlines Flight Hijacked

A Turkish Airlines plane headed from the Albanian capital Tirana to Istanbul was hijacked yesterday by Turkish citizen Hakan Ekinci in a dramatic incident in which no one was killed or injured. The flight, which took off yesterday late afternoon from Tirana's Rinas Airport, was carrying 107 passengers, only 5 of whom were Turks.


The actual hijacking of the airplane took place over Greek airspace, with Greek authorities alerted to the incident when Pilot Mursel Gokalp sounded the hijacking signal twice from the cockpit of Turkish Airlines flight 1476. Hijacker Ekinci demanded that the flight head for Italy, which it then did, accompanied by two Greek Air Force planes and four Italian Air Force planes. The flight landed finally at Italy's Brindisi Air Force base more than two hours after it had taken off from Tirana.

Hijacker initially claimed his act was a "protest of the Pope's visit to Turkey"

After landing at the Brindisi Air Force base, Pilot Mursel Gokalp spoke by telephone to Turkish Airlines headquarters in Turkey, noting that the hijacker was not in fact armed, but that he claimed to have a bomb on his person. He also noted that Ekinci has initially claimed that his reason for hijacking the airplane was to protest Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to Turkey, although in the hours which followed, it emerged that Ekinci had deserted his miltary duty in Turkey. It also became clear during this time that Ekinci was prepared to let the passengers leave the airplane. In the meantime, Brindisi Governor Marino Tofaro arrived at the base and began bargaining with Ekinci, who requested asylum in Italy. A little while after the start of the bargaining, passengers and crew were released from the airplane, after which Hakan Ekinci gave himself up to the Italian police force at the air base.

Turkey Back to EU Agenda

Ankara took action before the EU Progress Report to be published on Nov. 8 and a possible Cyprus crisis.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told European leaders about Turkey’s stance while the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) accelerated its lobbying activities.

On the first anniversary of starting full membership negotiations, Turkey focused on the agenda of the European Union.

Contacts increased between Ankara and Brussels before the EU Progress Report scheduled for release on Nov. 8, and a possible Cyprus crisis, while the government and non-governmental organizations increased their efforts to influence European perceptions.

Within the context of its foreign promotional activities, TUSIAD organized Turkish Week in three European capitals. Activities, which began in Brussels yesterday, will be followed by those in Paris today and in Berlin tomorrow.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener, State Minister in Charge of Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen and Minister of Justice Cemil Cicek will also join the meetings.
Prime Minister Erdogan and Chief Negotiator Ali Babacan discussed Turkey’s membership process and the possible Cyprus crisis with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.
In accordance with Erdogan’s instructions, Babacan will spend the next few months in EU capitals.

Turkish Parliament increased efforts to make the ninth Adaptation Package
Turkey wants the Progress Report, important for the EU leaders’ summit in December, to come out positive and that negotiations not be suspended because of Cyprus.

However, polemics on army-civilian relationships on Article 301 have had negative repercussions in Europe.

The visits of the EU wing giving subsequent warnings concerning these issues have become more frequent.

European Commissioner of Enlargement, Olli Rehn, is having meetings in Ankara for the evaluation of the first year of negotiations, and to communicate expectations before the summit in December.

Rehn is expected to discuss issues with Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minester Gul today.

On the same day Rehn leaves Turkey, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will arrive in Turkey to discuss EU issues.

Evil Eye in Turkey

Turkish Culture has a strong belief about “evil eyes” which is called “Nazar Boncuğu” in Turkish. It’s used to protect themselves against evil associated with envious or covetous eyes.Most common usage in Turkey is on baby clothes , entrance of houses especially on doors, on bags, etc. This ancient belief in Nazar Boncuğu stretches back before recorded history.The Old Testament of the Bible was mentioned and may be descended from the Egyptians and Sumerions beliefs in Mediterranean area and in Indıan sub-continent , evil eye is also well-known in many countries.

People most commonly need evil eyes (Nazar Boncuğu) when they have a baby , a new car , house or a success in business life .They need to protect themselves from Nazar. The protection of the Nazar is used for anything new or likely to attract praise. The belief is that even well-intentioned compliments include a conscious or unconscious dose of envy. And somewhat this resembles the typical blue eyes which was a factor of protecting the user. So that these shows Turkish Culture is strenghten day by day with these beliefs.

If you are in Turkey or you have plans about travelling Turkey you’d better to go and visit Ilyasoglu Evil Eye Store in Eminonu. In addition,you can get these evil eyes from Amazon's Evil Eye Jewelry section.

Istanbul’s Entertainment and Shopping Center,CEVAHIR

World’s second and the Europea’s the biggest Entertainment and Shopping Center, İstanbul Cevahir was to be opened on October 15,2005.
Employing more than 5 thousands of people İstanbul Cevahir has 356 hectares of construction area and nearly 170 hectares of it can be hirable. Inside this Center, there is a big parking garage with a capasity of 2500 vehicles.

In İstanbul Cevahir,there are 280 stores,34fast food area and 14 exclusive restaurant with many different alternatives.

Having an fascinating architectural structure, İstanbul Cevahir has 9 hectares area of cinema complex with 2500 human capasity. This part, IMEX and the theater includes 12 lounges.In addition to this complex,there is a huge,60 sequare meters screen on the building frontage to reflect the news and advertisements.

World’s biggest clock is exist upon İstanbul Cevahir’s huge glass roof which is nearly 2500 sequare meters.On the clocks, each of its numbers is 3 meters length.

Under the roof,in the midst of the Shopping Center there is a huge hydraulic scene which is supported with a landscape and a pool. This scene is getting up about 25 meters and it’s used for shows and advertisements.

In a short time period, İstanbul Cevahir becomes popular and is visited by millions of people. With a high market price, it proceeds Turkey’s and Europe’s favoured one.

Address: Büyükdere Cad. No: 22 Şişli İstanbul Turkey
(It’s opened 10 am-10 pm every day of the week.)