In all probability, the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, will win in three days’ time its third consecutive national confidence vote since it became to power in 2002. This time, the critical thresholds are 40 and 50 percent of the national vote, i.e., less than 40 percent would not be alarming yet indicative of a saturation point, and more than 50 percent will illustrate a seal on the AKP’s grip on power. I would bet for the latter rather than the former possibility.
ISTANBUL - Turkey’s undersecretary for foreign trade and the Foreign Economic Relations Board, or DEİK, will organize the first World Turkish Entrepreneurs Assembly in Istanbul on April 10 and 11. The aim of the convention is to enable entrepreneurs of Turkish origin to network and exchange ideas on various issues.
One of the most significant aspects of 2008 focused on efforts to renew peace talks aimed at finding solutions for many of the World’s decades-long disputes. At the same time however, we also bore witness to fresh conflicts erupting over some of these disputes. A number of significant changes in world leaderships also took place in 2008.
When you take your oath of office next Jan. 20, not just the American people, but also the whole world will be greeting you with hope and expectation. Your views, choices and decisions will affect the globe well beyond America’s borders and have consequences in the lives and well-being of people everywhere.