Turkey

The newly elected Turkish government is in a race against time to meet criteria required by European leaders if Turkey is to be considered for permanent membership in the EU. Two issues are at stake that are certain to influence the course of Turkey’s accession: reforms and Cyprus.

Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved on November 18th Abdullah Gul as the country’s next prime minister and a list of cabinet ministers as the new government races to meet a fast fading window for a start to EU membership talks.

The conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP), which bounded to a decisive victory in Turkey’s general election on November 3rd, is determined to dispel claims that it has designs on overhauling the country’s secular regime. With the old cast of characters unable to pass the 10% threshold required to enter parliament, the AKP and its popular leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan are in position to prove they can govern, and do it under Turkey’s rigid secular framework.

The following interview with Ajay Chhibber appears in the current edition of Emerging Turkey 2003, which was just released internationally. To order a copy of Emerging Turkey 2003, call 44 207 403 7213 or 90 212 677 0850, or visit our website at www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com.

The following interview with Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti appears in the current edition of Emerging Turkey 2003, which has just been released internationally. To order the book call +90 212 677 0580/81 or +44 207 403 7213, or visit our website, www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com.

The following interview with Economy Minister Masum Turker appears in the current edition of Emerging Turkey 2003, which has just been released internationally. To order the book call +90 212 677 0580/81 or +44 207 403 7213, or visit our website, www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com.