The sponsors of the event were Davidson Morris Solicitors, who made a presentation about their services. They specialise in UK immigration law and its impact on Turkish business. They pointed out that they are particularly strong in appeals against unsuccessful Ankara agreement applications. (Click here for photos)

Turkish Academic Chair in London

The Turkish reception for the foundation of a Chair of Contemporary Turkish Studies within the European Institute of the London School of Economics (LSE), one of the world’s leading universities, founded in this city, was formally announced with a ceremony at Istanbul Modern on the evening of 16th June. State Minister Prof. Dr. Beşir Atalay, LSE Rector Sir Howard Davies and LSE European Institute Director Prof. Kevin Featherstone announced the opening of the academic chair.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conducted the official opening of the Turkish Chair, in the foundation of which our president Remzi Gür and member of the board of directors Hüseyin Aslan took an active part, in London. The LSE shares the first place in the field of economics with Harvard University and has an average of 60 Turkish students each year. The School, which has a total of 450 alumni in Turkey, runs exchange programs with Turkish universities including Yeditepe, Marmara, Koç, Bilgi and the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ).

State Minister Beşir Atalay, who participated in the meeting, stated that the founding of a Turkish Chair at a 110-year-old university, renowned beyond the borders of Britain was a cause for joy, and went on to say: “Since the 1990’s the founding of a Turkish Chair was on the agenda. Turkish chairs in Britain have traditionally focused more on the Ottoman period. For the first time a Chair has been established for modern Turkey of the republican period. That the LSE, known for its academic distinction, should feel the need for a Turkish Chair within its structure, is a concrete sign of our nation’s connection with Europe. It will ensure that we are a reference point for countries in the EU process.”

Participants in the meeting included Turkey’s Ambassador in London HE Mr. Akın Alptuna, Britain’s Ambassador to Ankara Sir Peter Westmacott and his wife Mrs. Susan Nemazee, the British Consul to Istanbul Barbara Hay, the former Foreign Minister Emre Gönensay, and President of the British Turkish Businessmen’s Association and TBCCI Chairman Mr. Remzi Gür.

Actual Start of Negotiations with EU

Turkey’s process of active negotiations with the EU officially began on 12th June. Once the obstacle of the Greek Cypriot veto was overcome, State Minister Ali Babacan and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gül belatedly travelled to Luxembourg and participated in a meeting in which the science and research chapter was opened and provisionally closed.

TAbdullah Gül reminded the EU of certain principles and responsibilities, which had recently been, announced to the public based on EU documents concerning Cyprus, and called on the EU to conform to these.

In a speech to the Partnership Council, which is the most important decision making body between Turkey and the EU; he called on EU support for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s efforts for a resolution, and stated that the solution in Cyprus should be on the basis of the UN General Secretary’s plan for resolution. Gül asked that the EU should undertake to conform to a solution found by the parties on the island.

Gül continued as follows: ''What principles can be adduced to explain the application of an embargo to one section of Cyprus’s population? How can that be such a thing be possible? Is the EU applying its principles? How can this be explained? Since this cannot be explained, the European Council gave instructions on 26th April 2004 for measures to be taken to lift the economic isolation of the Cypriot Turks. Therefore, it is essential that everyone approach the resolution of these issues in a spirit of goodwill.

UK-Turkey Trade on the increase

UK-Turkey Trade has shown significant increase during the first four months of this year

Forthcoming Events

03.08.2006 - Istanbul - Istanbul Fashion Festival
05.09.2006 - Istanbul - CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia 2006
20.09.2006 – London - Turkish Infrastructure Projects
18.11.2006 - Istanbul - 6.Inter.Gen.Assembly of Turkish Businessmen
22.11.2006 - Istanbul - 11th MUSIAD International Trade
22.11.2006 - Istanbul - 14. International Food Exhibition
06.06.2007 - Istanbul - International Mining Congress
04.07.2007 - Istanbul - World Chambers Congress

Click on an Event Link to view the full details, or contact the TBCCI office

TBCCI Web site viewings
The TBCCI web site was visited by 10,978 individual visitors in June this year, corresponding to a daily average of 366 unique visits with an increase of 12.8% over the viewings in the previous month. During the first 11 days this month, the average daily single visits further increased to 470. 13,500 individual visitors are expected to visit the TBCCI website in July 2006.

Arends International celebrates its 25th birthday
This summer the freight forwarding agent Arends International Ltd. celebrates its 25th birthday. Founded in 1981 it was originally based in Warrington before moving to its own purpose built premises on a 6-acre site in Newton-le-Willows. Operating from a 75,000 square foot bonded warehouse and office facility, they offer a full range of worldwide land, sea and air services.

Due to customer demand, Arends has opened a London office, giving its Southern client base a more local contact. With over 80 staff and a turnover approaching £25m, Arends is proud of its achievements in the last 25 years and looks forward to the challenges ahead. www.arends.co.uk