Political Front
Turkey:
Turkish FM sounds committed to Cyprus peace; asserts negotiations offer ‘the last chance’.
Turkish crackdown on Hizb-ut-Tahiri; Turkish police regularly investigates and makes arrests among the country’s more militant Islamic community.
Tripartite anti-terror meeting to convene in Ankara involving Turkish, Kurdish and US officials; measures to counter the outlawed PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) to be discussed.
Eardogan, the Turkish PM of the Islamic rooted government voiced concern on Chinese treatment of Uighurs of the Xinjiang province, comparing the ethnic violence to ‘genocide’. The PM was urged to speak up in a similar manner as he did for the Palestinians during the Israeli offensive. At the same time the foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to develop ties with China in every field. It proclaimed Uighurs as a bridge of friendship between China and Turkey.
Central Asia:
Azerbaijan’s central election commission is preparing for the coming municipal elections in a bid to increase efficiency by means of training workshops.
Azerbaijan's opposition Mausavat party attempted to rally in front of the Chinese embassy in Baku on July 14th to register their protest against recent unrest in Chinese Muslim population region. Also a bill regarding Azerbaijan's forces involvement in peacekeeping activities was drafted in the parliament while noting successful missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.
Presidential elections are to be observed in Kyrgyzstan under the close watch of 516 observers from 48 countries. Also the constitutional court decreed the president to cancel membership of party during presidential term. 18 arrests were made for involvement in terrorist activities.
There have been talks for opening a joint anti terrorism centre in Batken or Osh regions between the Russian and Kyrgyz authorities.
Uzbek government criticized for using government operated NGOs (GoNGOs) in a bid to curb civil society.
The Kazakh leader was criticized by local activists for attempting to curb and control internet usage. The motives behind an anti corruption drive targeting many officials were being questioned reported a BBC Asia correspondent Rayhan Demytrie.
South Asia:The three major Nepali parties, the communist party of Nepal (UML), the Nepali Congress and the major opposition party Unified Communist party of Nepal (Maoists) has been urged to get to the business of constitution writing in earnestness.
India:BJP claims credit for leading people to vote for national parties despite there being regional parties. Junagadh BJP lost civic polls to congress while denying any chances of breaking ties with Shiv Sena in upcoming elections in Maharashtra
Recent defense agreement with the US under criticism by opposition; they claim allowing inspection of arms sites would put Indian sovereignty at stake; while the government argues in favor of enhancing Indian space technology with the agreement.
East Asia:
The Indonesian election results showed Yudhoyono and his running mate Boediono acquiring a land slide victory with 60.8% of the vote. Philippine president Arroyo has reiterated the commitment to hold elections in May next year while the Cambodian PM has been accused of cracking down on the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) as well as opposition aligned media.
Indonesian hard line scholar Abu Bakar Bashir refused to condemn last Friday’s hotel attacks in Jakarta. Manila’s national security chief while comparing the Indonesian bombings to the ones in the Philippines related the two incidents to the revival of regional militant group Jemaah Islamiya.
Geo strategic Front
TurkeyGeo- political importance of Turkey and Greece to increase with the Turkey, Italy and Greece pipeline project (ITGI); this development is in the wake of a recently signed Nabucco pipeline project for carrying natural gas from the Caspian and central Asia to Europe reducing EU’s dependence on Russia.
SETA, a Turkish NGO which makes policy recommendations says that there is a need to increase attention and focus on the Caucasus region in the development of relations. ‘Macedonia a door to EU for turkey’, proclaims Macedonian minister.
Syria seeks Turkish mediation in indirect talks with Israel. Syrian president commends an active role for Turkey in regional peace.
Turkish foreign minister deems Balkans as a very important region in Turkish foreign policy.
The Serbian administration attributes special importance to relations with Turkey. Turkish FM proclaims historical responsibility to the Balkan states; aims at building a future together
Bulgarian PM proclaims intention to include representatives of Turkish descent in the government while voicing objective to foster good relations with the Turkish state.
Central Asia:
Azerbaijani FM expressed satisfaction with NATO support in establishing the country’s territorial integrity. Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents met in Moscow on July 18th to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. While the Azerbaijani government provided $100,000 financial assistance for Tajik natural disaster victims.
President of Kazakhstan has put great emphasis on bilateral relations cooperation with Russia.
Growing economic relations between Russia and Tajikistan hold strong.
A joint declaration was signed between Turkmenistan and Romania while talks between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan as well as with US were on the agenda this week.
Uzbekistan has warned against a Russian plan to open a military base near the Uzbek border in southern Kyrgyzstan. US under secretary for political Affairs William Burns during his visit to Uzbekistan expressed his state’s desire to mend ties with the host country.
South Asia:The United Nations Security Council voted to extend the mandate of its mission in Nepal for a further 6 months until Jan 23rd, 2010.
India:While the Indo-US relations seem to be strengthening at various fronts, India and China have expressed keenness to improve trade ties.
East Asia:
Malaysia and Pakistan agreed to enhance cooperation in various fields. China has expressed willingness to strengthen ties with Philippines. Singapore and Syria seem hopeful to boost their newly developed diplomatic ties.
GCC:Saudi Arabia denies link with Jakarta terror attacks that killed 9 and wounded 50. Bahraini prince proposed a new, practical initiative on the Palestine-Israel problem. The said proposal was published in a known American newspaper. Kuwaiti PM recently paid a visit to Africa in a bid to develop ties with African countries.
Social Front
TurkeyTurkey becomes 7th state in the European continent to affect ban on smoking in public places.
Turkish chief negotiator for the EU notes that turkey is going through a major transformation, showing great progress in democratic and cultural realms. Turkish education campaign under the guidance of the first lady, aimed at improving facilities for the disabled.
The coefficient system for students graduating from the imam hatip (Islamic Divinity High school) was raised deeming their students equal to regular high school graduates, thus allowing them to enter different departments in collages such as law, political science etc.
According to a report released in June 2009 by Turkish international Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC), opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan dropped by 19% in 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of NATO presence and Turkish aid in educating the country’s security forces.
Central Asia:
Special social policies made by the government of Azerbaijan have brought 12% reduction in the country’s poverty level.
South Asia:Plans are being framed to curb the rapidly growing population growth in Bangladesh. Singapore and Nepal are facing health challenges where Dengue virus has been a menace for the former, diarrhea has been for the latter. A major health concern for Bhutan has been swine flu. Srilanka facing major challenge to resettle internally displaces Tamil civilians
India:The absence of monsoon rains along with shortage of electricity, fertilizers, seeds and water have caused problems for farmers. Heavy flooding caused serious losses in Orissa.
East Asia:Malaysian ruling party expressed willingness to lead education awareness movement. Nearly a year after upsurge of hostilities between the govt. troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, nearly 50,000 families are in evacuation camps. The UN development program condemned Philippine government’s inability to curb HIV infection. In Thailand swine flu death toll doubled with 44 people dead. The United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) received ASD 4 million from Australia to fight HIV infection in Laos.
GCC:Swine Flu regarded a serious threat; 249 victims in Saudi Arabia and 50 in Kuwait. A Bahraini proposal to forge a consensus among Gulf States on alternatives to the controversial sponsorship system and for imposing a residence cap on foreigners has been endorsed by 6 GCC countries.
Economic Front
TurkeyShare of foreign investors in Turkey’s main stock market rose to 65.66% amounting to 59.2 billion Turkish liras in stock value.
To facilitate trade with Russia, Turkish banks provide facility to open ruble accounts.
Turkish contractors were invited by the Iraqi deputy PM to take part in giant projects in Iraq, proclaiming them to have become a global brand.
Net profits of Turk telecom fell 20% to 821 million TL (nearly 543 million USD) and the Turkish automotive production also fell in the first half of 2009.
Turkish statistical board (TUIK) says Turkey was ranked 25th among 37 European countries last year in terms of its purchasing power parity.
In the environment of the global economic crisis major Turkish companies showed a decline in profits despite increasing sales. The tourism industry is also suffering because of the economic meltdown.
Most importantly the US dollar decreased to the lowest level of 2009 against Turkish lira in the free market reaching 1.5 TL last week.
Central Asia:
Finance Ministry claimed that the Azerbaijani economy has secured stability despite the negative influence of the global financial crisis. The nation’s grain output is expected to reach 3 million tones. 1 billion Euros are to be invested in Kazakh projects by the European investment Bank. Over the first half of the current year the external trade turnover of Tajikistan has amounted to a little more than 1.54 billion US dollars, which was 78.3 % of the previous year’s level. A landmark deal granting Caspian Sea gas exploration and extraction rights to a German company member of the Nabucco pipeline consortium was signed by Turkmenistan; while the EU countries have expressed interest in buying Turkmen natural gas. Uzbekistan’s GDP has reached 8.2% with government efforts to counter economic crisis. Meanwhile Kyrgyz airlines have been prohibited to operate flights over EU territory, repeatedly showing up in the black list of airlines.
South Asia:
Srilanka received a $2.5 billion loan from IMF for development projects. US $ 5.9 million worth of trade conducted between Pakistan and Maldives last year.
India:
Government claims that budget quota for investment and infrastructure enough for the economy, no added stimulus required. 6% growth in current fiscal year forecasted by standard chartered bank.
East Asia:Malaysia is seeking investment from the Gulf region. Islamic finance sector fully liberalized in a bid to seek foreign investment. Malaysian companies urged by the PM to become Global Champions. Unlike Malaysia, exports have faced decline in Thailand in the eighth consecutive month. A parallel decline in imports is also evident, weakening the overall economy. Amidst the economic recession Singapore high income earners are saving more and investing less. Vietnam’s economic condition is comparatively better in the region where smooth economic growth has remarkably reduced poverty. Laos’s government plans at personal capacity building to attract investment.
GCC:
In the wake of swine flu and economic melt down GCC countries have seen a 31% growth in domestic tourism compared to 11% last year. UAE economy grew at 7.4% last year augmented by banking sector policy measures and high oil prices. A sharp decrease in food prices declined inflation in Bahrain to 2.7._____________________________________________________
Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' This project has been undertaken and developed by the
Gilani Research Foundation as a free resource and social discussion tool.
Week # 98, Dated 12th - 18th Dec. 09’
