ISTANBUL – The Turkish lira currency strengthened to a 2-1/2-month high against the dollar Friday on reports indicating the resumption of suspended loan talks with the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, and on a rise in sentiment in global markets over a G-20 Summit pledge to act against the global economic downturn.
Helsinki - Nearly 50 foreign ministers gathered here in Helsinki on Thursday for a two-day Ministerial Council meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, during which Russia will try to convince the participants of the need for a new security arrangement in the "Old Continent."
Turkey's central bank held the benchmark interest rates steady at 16.75 percent as expected on Wednesday, however decreased the lending rate 50 basis points to 19.75 percent a statement issued on the central bank's official website said.