Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics during March 2012

Key Points:

• Turkey closes its embassy in Syria and openly discusses establishing buffer zones inside its southern neighbour for refugees fleeing the conflict zones.
• There is discontent within Turkey’s Shia Muslim minority about the AKP government’s criticism of the Alawite Assad regime, raising concern about possible ethnic tension in areas near the Turkey-Syria border.
• Turkey releases two high profile journalists under investigation in the Ergenekon trial, but opens a second investigation into comments made by one of them to the press upon his release.
• Iraqi leaders envisage future export routes for the country’s oil through Turkey in case of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while the two countries’ economic ties grow as the Kurdish north becomes a prime export market for Turkish products.
• Turkey will go forward with its lawsuit against Iran for short-supplying on a natural gas contract.
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• April 20, 2012

Azerbaijani ambassador to Tajikistan Abbasali Hasanov met this country`s first deputy foreign minister Mahmudjon Sobirov.

• April 14, 2012

Ukraine has offered to supply electricity to Lithuania, Ukrainian Premier Mykola Azarov has said, www.interfax.com.ua reports.

• April 14, 2012

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Antimonopoly Policy has today hosted a meeting of Deputy Minister Sanjar Mukanbetov with an Azerbaijani delegation led by Azerbaijani Deputy Economic Development Minister Niyazi Safarov.

• April 13, 2012

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych met with Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov on Monday, according to Ukrinform.

• March 26, 2012

Russia wants nuclear talks between Iran and the G5+1 to be resumed “as quickly as possible.”

• March 23, 2012

Teck Resources LimitedLimited ("Teck", TSX: TCK.A and TCK.B, NYSE: TCK) and the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of China (NATESC) announced today that they have signed an agreement to demonstrate and promote zinc fertilizer use in China.

• March 16, 2012

by Naim Ameur
Expert on political transition in Tunisia and the Maghreb

One year after the Jasmine Revolution of January 14, 2011, Tunisia has successfully advanced in its democratic transition and political reform process. The election of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) held on October 23, 2011 was well organised, and for the first time in history, it was fair. Al-Nahdha (which means “renaissance” in Arabic), a moderate Islamic party, won 41 per cent of the NCA seats. READ MORE

• March 8, 2012