. Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM . From: Bcc: Subject: Turkey News Update Date: Monday, January 29, 2018 4:37:00 PM I thought you might be interested in the latest developments regarding the Republic of Turkey. . This material 15 distributed by Ballard Partners on behalf of the Republic of Turkey. Additional information IS available at the Department of ustlce WashingtOn, C. The US Turkey Must Continue to Work Together to Defeat Terrorism -In an article Written by Turkish .FM Cavusoglu, the FM asserts Turkey and the'US?s . common goal is to defeat terrorist organizations. -The victory against their common enemy, Daesh (ISIS), was only possible due to Turkey?s contributions Turkey was crucial 1n the liberation of the Syrian city of Jarabulus, and the detention of IO, 000 Daesh (ISIS) and Qaeda af?liates. ?The two countries are now at an impasse, as the US has chosen to back the YPG, which according to Turkey, IS a Kurdish terrorist organization that Turkey IS working to eradicate ,Turkish FM Cavusoglu stated ?We strive for a future that is ?'ee of terrorist entities, implOding neighbors, wars and humanitarian calamities in our region. Turkey deserves the respect. and support of the United States in this essential ?ght.? . President Erdogan Went to Greece, a Groundbreaking Visit -President Erdogan made a groundbreaking visit to Greece, as the first. Turkish head 'of state to visit Greece in 65 years. Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PMI -President Erdogan and Greek PM Tsipras discussed bilateral relations, security issues, the refugee crisis, economic cooperation in energy and trade, and transportation . connect-ions between the?two countries. --Presidenti Erdogan stated in a message to the Greek people, between Turkey and Greece have becomehistory now.? The US Works to Back Turkey in the Fight Against Terrorism National Security AdviSor McMaster stated, ?The United States has long supported and will continue to support i, like President Trump, am a ?rm believer in a strong alliance between the United States and Turkey?. -A Pentagon spokesperson stated that the US will collect any anns that Would threaten Turkey. -US National Security Advisor McMaster vows to stay ?in lockstep? with Turkey on the ?ght against terror groups, he continued by saying the US supports Turkeys efforts to secure its borders, ?ght terrorist groups, and will continue to work with Turkey in this ?ght.- 0- US, Turkey Iraq Strengthen Military Ties -The three countries met todiscuss the general security in Syria and Iraq, and what measures needed to be taken to combat terrorism. The US stated that the meeting was held to ?strengthen the'relationships between the militarie?s?. US'State Department" Resumes Full Visa Services in Turkey -Th_e US State Dept. announced that it is con?dent that the security posture has improved suf?ciently to allow for the resumption of visa Services in Turkey. 'EU-Turkey Enh_ance__Bi_lateral Relations -Pre's_ide_nt Erdogan recently stated, always say it. Ourg'aim is to minimize enemies and increase friends. We do not have any problems with: Germany, the Netherlands or Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM Belgium. Quite the opposite, the leaders there are my old friends.? -ln Nov. 2017 the EU and Turkey met for a CoUnter?Ter?r'ori'sm Consultation,- where both parties agreed to increase cooperation in the fight against terrorism, by enhancing their collaboration on. information sharing, law enforCement, and judicial cooperation. German Chancellor Me'rkel and President Erdogan spoke about improving bilateral ties and Merkel said she would work to speed up the ?nancial assistance from the EU to help aide the refugees living in Turkey. -Turkey"s EU Minister Celik says Turkey-EU relations are a ?winewin situation?. -EU Commissioner Katainen and Turkish Deputy PM Simsek met to boost economic relations, improve ties, bring business circles together, and resolve major issues. -EU CommiSsioner Katainen said that the EU and Turkey are ?strategic partners? and that they need each other to thrive, and to solve major inte'mational challenges. -EU Delegation Head Berger said that the EU and Turkey are restoring con?dence between each other, and Turkey?s work to ful?ll benchmarks 1n visa liberalization' 1s a good sign fOr future relations. 0 EU Comm?iss?iOner: Refugee Deal Great Example of Turkish-EU Cooperation -The EU commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Stylianides, said that ?The Turkey-EU refugee deal IS an excellent example of what we can do when we are together?. -Commissioner- Stylianides? said that he was proud to Welcome Turkey into the EU C1v11 Protection Mechanism, and that the EU and Turkey need each other not only 1n the refugee crisis, but also 1n the ?eld of c1v1l protection. 0 Tourism Soars in Turkey eFOreig'n tourists visiting Turkey rose 28%, hitting 30.7 million visitors in the ?rst 1 1 months of2017,_and creating $20 billion in revenue.~Turkey expects to have reached 31.4 million tourists and $26 billion in revenue by the end of 2017, with the top 5 senders ranked: Russia, Germany, Iran, Georgia, and the UK. urke Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM. Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM Turkey?s Economy is' on the Rise -The OECD stated that it estimates Turkey 5 economic growth to have exceeded 6% in 2017, attributing the growth to a strong ?scal stimulus and the recovery of the export market. -Turke_y?s economy grew faster than any other of the world?s 20 biggest economies in Q3 of 2017, an 1 1.1% compared with Q3 of 2016, due to increased household spending, construction and Services, and a surge in exports. +Turkey?s industrial production rose by 7.3% in Oct?. 2017, with a capital good production increase of 13.5% and an intermediate goods production increase of 6. which are vital indicators for the economy, because they are seen as preliminary gauges for GDP . -Turkey 5 unemployment rate decreased 0 7% to 10. 6% and its labor force participation increased by 0.8% to 53.4% in Sept 2017. ?Women participating in the workforce increased 1% in 2017 compared to 2018. -Turkey saved $11 billion through?public-private partnershipsin infrastructural investment made from 2003-2016, and $286. billion-was added to GDP during? this period, with 8.95 million people gettingnewjobs. 0. Turkey Remains Committed to Humanitarian Aid eTurkey has helped 3 million Syrian migrants, and 1 million migrants from 190 countries across the world, and IS the leading aid donor of the world in assistance for migrants based On its GDP. {Turkey provided of?cial development assistance worth $21 billion to 170 countries between 2010-2016, most Of which went to Syria, Africa,.the central Asian Turkic . republics, and Balkan countries, to promote economic development and welfare. -The Turkey Red Crescent has supplied 1.1 million refugees with debit cards, which provides them with 120 Turkish Lira a month. The ATM cards the refugees to determine how they can best use the money to meet their basic needs; - -Pres'iden't Erdogan said that Turkey remains committed to supporting the oppressed, and that people should enjoy basic human rights and freedom-,5 regardless of their origin, ?in an equal and free Way before the law. -An additional 50 million Euro in the Conditional Cash Transfer for Education, will- Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM Received Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM 1 . help support refugee families send their children to school-.- -Turkey has provided $6.6 million in ?nancial aid to 136,000 foreign children since Oct, 2017, which has helped to increase enrollment rates and establish equal education opportunities for Syrian refugee children living in Turkey. - I -Turkey is supporting 1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, through its aid organizations (TIKA, AFAD, and Turkish Red Crescent), who are providing health care, education, and shelter. - The UN Praises Turkey?s Humanitarian Efforts Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Muller, stated that Turkey has become a leader in humanitarian assistance, and praised the country for its work in remote parts of the world. She also praised Turkey?s nongovernmental organizations (TIKA, AFAD, and the Turkish Red Crescent) for their outstanding work and impressive coordination of humanitarian aid. -Turkey spent nearly $6 billion on humanitarian aid in 2016, and IS the? ?most generous? ?country in the world, spending .75% of its GDP on humanitarian causes. 9 The UK and Turkey work to Strengthen Ties I-UK PM May spoke with President Erdogan about strengthening ties between the two countries and deepening defense cooperation. .0 Turkey Enhances Cooperation with African Countries - . -Turkey and Rwanda signed an to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation in the justice sector. The will establish cooperation in the legal profession, judicial training, and the exchange of knowledge and experience. -Turkey and Ghana are working to increase trade volume to $1 billion by 2020, and they have signed 25 agreements to improve commercial and economic relations in the last 7 years -PM Yildi?rim and Senegal President Sall met to increase bilateral relations between the two countries. Received by ARA Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM -Presi_de?nt Erdogan went on a 3-country tour to Sudan, Tunisia, and Chad, to strengthen economic relations with African countries. -Seve?ral bilateral agreements were signed by Turkey and Sudan, ineluding: an agreement to allow Turkey to have a military presence on the Red Sea which will help . combat terrorism and protect Sudanese military ships, an agreement to temporarily givepart of the Sujakin Island to Turkey to rebuild and revive the ruined Ottoman port city and construct a naval dock for civilian and military vessels, agreements 'on trade and economic partnership, an agreement to create a strategic cooperation council and establish a Turkish bank in Sudan to increase trade betWeen the two countries to $10 billion, an agreement on economic cooperation agreement that puts the two countries on track of free trade, and agreements on cooperation in science and technology, MoUs- on agriculture, mining, defense, forests, education, tourism, environment, immigration, military training, and BrOadcasting and TV Corporations, -Turkey has vowed to help Sudan through support in agriculture, digginglw?ater wells, in health care, education, and In establishing vocational schools. -Turkey and Tunisia signed four cooperation agreements abOut safety and military cooperation, trade, and economic and environmental matters. a a '9 ii friea?.c .0 5 ?2 13?8559?7J31m 0 Turkey Aims to Create Peace and Cooperation in the Balkans -Turkey wants to promote stronger cooperation with the Balkans. These countries all have a similar history, that should drive them to unite and work together to bring about stronger economies, enhanced bilateral relatiOns, and increased trade. -Turkey and Bosnia are working to increase trade to 1 billion Euros in 2019, to build the Sarajevo-?- Belgrade highway, and build hospitals In Bosnia through public- private partnerships. mm dailvsabah. corn/00 ed/2017/12/08/neace -the- -balk?ns- neace- in- -turkev . . f. - 0 Turkey Works to Improve Lives of 'Its Disabled Population -Tu'rkey?s disabled community comprises 7% of the population, and at the - International Day of Persons with Disabilities event, PM Yildirim stated that they Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018. 4:56:57 PM Would employ at least 5,000 more disabled citizens next year- in public sect'Orjobs. -Turkey has also adopted regulations to improve the lives 'of'persons with disabilities, including providing incentives for Work places that hire disabled citizens, inere'asin'g the employment quota for the disabled, and mereasing the bene?ts for families who care for disabled members at home. 9 EBRD Plans to. Continue Investments in Turkey -The EBRD has plans to invest 1 .5 billion Euro in Turkey in 2018, in sectors like: ?nance, energy, and agricultUre. In 2017 the EBRD ?nanced 30 projects, totaling $1.2 billion in investments ?-The EBRD is helping Turkey?s natural gas company expand to 18 toWns, which will provide citizens and businesses with a low-carbon ecological alternative to expensive and less ef?cient lique?ed petroleum, gas, fuel oil and electricity, which will cut C02 emissions by 65, 000 tons, creating a cheaper and cleaner way of life -The EBRD 18 providing lsbank (Turkey?s largest private bank) with $55 million to support small- scale renewable energy and resource ef?ciency projects in Turkey.- -EBRD IS providing a 40 million Euro loan to ?nance construction of two gold mines in Turkey, which will alSO include a vocational school, training, and tons of new jobs. 0 Turkey Works to Combat Climate Change -Turkey is working on tWo new liquif? ed natural gas terminals, which will make it the country with the highest regasi?cation capacity in all of Europe. Natural gas is the least emitting air pollution fossil fuel, and IS the cleanest fuel for marine, waterway and road transport, and IS the best complement to renewable energy. '-T1_1_rkey? 5 wind sector attracted $12. 3 billion 1n investments over the past 1 1 years, generating 8% of the countries power. -Turkey has prepared a plan to prevent 246 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2030, and to be a country that produces and exports technology for renewable energy. -Turkey has launched its ?rst integrated solar module, cell and panel production factory, which will meet the energy needs of 600,000 h0useholds. aTurkey will invest 1 billion Liras in renewable energy in 2018. Received Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM Received by Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM I. 1mg L8?h?ir- 1 247 I Turkey Applies a 5% Tax. Cut for Regular Corporate Taxpayers -Turkey has applied a 5% tax cat for companies that have submitted their tax statements on time for the previous 4 years, and whom have ?Jlly obeyed the tax laws and regulations. All the best, The Honorable Robert Wexler Received by ARA Registration Unit 01/29/2018 4:56:57 PM