Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06ANKARA100, TURKEY: 2006 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06ANKARA100.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06ANKARA100 | 2006-01-06 12:54 | 2011-08-24 01:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Ankara |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 ANKARA 000100
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV KTDB TU OPIC USTR
SUBJECT: TURKEY: 2006 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT
REF: 05 STATE 202943
The following is the 2006 Investment Climate Statement for
Turkey:
¶1. Openness To Foreign Investment
The Government of Turkey (GOT) views foreign direct
investment as vital to the country's economic development
and prosperity. Accordingly, Turkey has one of the most
liberal legal regimes for FDI in the OECD. With the
exception of some sectors (see below), areas open to the
Turkish private sector are generally open to foreign
participation and investment. However, all investors -
regardless of nationality - face a number of challenges:
excessive bureaucracy, weaknesses in the judicial system,
high and inconsistently collected taxes, weaknesses in
corporate governance, sometimes unpredictable decisions
taken at the municipal level, and frequent, sometimes
unclear changes in the legal and regulatory environment.
Historically, investment has also been discouraged by high
inflation and political and macroeconomic uncertainties.
As a result, FDI inflows have historically been far below
levels received by more investor-friendly emerging markets.
Along with the GOT's far-reaching economic reform program,
which is supported by the World Bank and IMF, the EU
accession that was launched in 2005 has begun to address
some of the structural impediments to FDI.
Regulations governing foreign investment are, in general,
transparent. Turkey provides national treatment, including
in the acquisition of real estate by foreign-owned corporate
entities registered under Turkish law, and not have an
investment screening system (only notification is required).
In 2005, the Constitutional Court ruled unconstitutional
legislation enabling property acquisition by non-Turkish
individuals. However, Parliament is considering new
legislation that will provide limited acquisition rights to
foreigners.
The equity participation ratio of foreign shareholders is
restricted to 25 percent in broadcasting and 49 percent in
aviation and maritime transportation. However, companies
receive full national treatment once they are established.
Establishment in financial services, including banking and
insurance, and in the petroleum sector requires special
permission from the GOT for both domestic and foreign
investors. In practice, regulators have not restricted
foreign ownership in the financial sector: in 2005 a series
of foreign acquisitions in the sector were approved, and
several foreign financial houses had longstanding operations
in Turkey.
The GOT privatizes State Economic Enterprises through block
sales, public offerings, or a combination of both. The sale
of 55 percent of Turk Telekom to Saudi Oger Telecom in 2005
for USD 6.6 billion was a turning point for the Turkish
privatization program. Two other major privatizations in
2005 were the sale of 51 percent of oil-refinery TUPRAS to
Turkish business giant Koc Group (with Dutch Shell having a
minor share of 2 percent), and the sale of 46 percent of
Erdemir to another Turkish company Oyak Group (the Oyak
Group then sold 41 percent of its winning consortium shares
to Arcelor). Turkish privatization revenues in 2005 totaled
USD 16.8 billion, most of which will be collected in
subsequent years.
Bureaucratic "red tape" has been a significant barrier to
companies, both foreign and domestic. However recent laws
have simplified company establishment procedures, reduced
permit requirements, instituted a single company
registration form, and enabled individuals to register their
companies through local commercial registry offices of the
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges. The
government is also considering other measures to streamline
other business procedures as part of its effort to improve
the business climate.
Turkey is also making progress in making the taxation system
more investor-friendly. In 2006, the basic corporate tax
rate will be reduced from 30 to 20 percent and a uniform
withholding tax of 15% will be applied to income from
financial investment.
Turkish law and regulation affecting the investment climate
continues to evolve. Potential investors should check with
appropriate Turkish government sources for current and
detailed information. The following web site provides the
text of regulations governing foreign investment and
incentives as well as other useful background information:
http://www.treasury.gov.tr/for_inv.htm. Additional
information is available at:
http://www.investinginturkey.gov.tr
¶2. Conversion And Transfer Policies
Turkish law guarantees the free transfer of profits, fees
and royalties, and repatriation of capital. This guarantee
is reflected in Turkey's 1990 Bilateral Investment Treaty
(BIT) with the United States, which mandates unrestricted
and prompt transfer in a freely usable currency at a legal
market-clearing rate for all funds related to an investment.
There is no difficulty in obtaining foreign exchange, and
there are no foreign exchange restrictions. However, as the
result of a 1997 court decision, the Turkish Government has
blocked full repatriation of investments by oil companies
under Article 116 of the 1954 Petroleum Law, which protected
foreign investors from the impact of lira depreciation.
Affected companies have challenged the 1997 decision and the
case is currently in the Turkish court system.
¶3. Expropriation And Compensation
Under the BIT, expropriation can only occur in accordance
with due process of law. Expropriations must be for public
purpose and non-discriminatory. Compensation must be
reasonably prompt, adequate, and effective. Under the BIT,
U.S. investors have full access to the local court system
and the ability to take the host government directly to
third party international binding arbitration to settle
investment disputes. There is also a provision for state-to-
state dispute settlement.
As a practical matter, the GOT occasionally expropriates
private real property for public works or for State
Enterprise industrial projects. The GOT agency expropriating
the property negotiates and proposes a purchase price. If
the owners of the property do not agree with the proposed
price, they can go to court to challenge the expropriation
or ask for more compensation. There are no outstanding
expropriation or nationalization cases.
¶4. Dispute Settlement
There are several outstanding investment disputes between
U.S. companies and Turkish government bodies, particularly
in the energy and tourism sectors.
Turkey's legal system provides means for enforcing property
and contractual rights, and there are written commercial and
bankruptcy laws. However, the court system is overburdened,
which sometimes results in slow decisions and judges lacking
sufficient time to grasp complex issues. The judicial system
is also perceived to be susceptible to external influence
and to be biased against outsiders. Judgments of foreign
courts, under certain circumstances, need to be executed by
local courts before they are accepted and enforced. Monetary
judgments are usually made in local currency, but there are
provisions for incorporating exchange rate differentials in
claims.
Turkey is a member of the International Center for the
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and is a
signatory of the New York Convention of 1958 on the
Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
Turkey ratified the Convention of the Multinational
Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) in 1987. There is
currently one arbitration cases pending before ICSID.
Turkish law accepts binding international arbitration of
investment disputes between foreign investors and the state.
In practice, however, Turkish courts have on at least one
occasion failed to uphold an international arbitration
ruling involving private companies.
¶5. Performance Requirements/Incentives
Turkey is a party to the WTO Agreement on Trade Related
Investment Measures (TRIMS).
Law 5084, which went into effect in early 2004, encourages
investment in provinces with annual per capita income below
USD 1,500 and to high priority development regions. For low
income provinces and under certain conditions, the law
provides for withholding tax incentives on income tax,
social security premium incentives, free land, and
electricity price support. These incentives will remain in
effect until the end of 2008, except for allocation of free
public land, which has no expiration date. The same law also
limits certain tax preferences previously enjoyed by
Turkey's free zones (see below).
There are no performance requirements imposed as a condition
for establishing, maintaining, or expanding an investment.
There are no requirements that investors purchase from local
sources or export a certain percentage of output. Investors'
access to foreign exchange is not conditioned on exports.
There are no requirements that nationals own shares in
foreign investments, that the shares of foreign equity be
reduced over time, or that the investor transfer technology
on certain terms. There are no government imposed conditions
on permission to invest, including location in specific
geographical areas, specific percentage of local content -
for goods or services - or local equity, import
substitution, export requirements or targets, employment of
host country nationals, technology transfer, or local
financing.
The GOT does not require that investors disclose proprietary
information, other than publicly available information, as
part of the regulatory approval process. Enterprises with
foreign capital must send their activity report, submitted
to the general assembly of shareholders, auditor's report,
and balance sheets to the Treasury's Foreign Investment
Directorate every year by May.
With the exceptions noted under "Openness to Foreign
Investment" and "Transparency of the Regulatory System,"
Turkey grants all rights, incentives, exemptions and
privileges available to national capital and business to
foreign capital and business on a most-favored-nation (MFN)
basis. American and other foreign firms can participate in
government-financed and/or subsidized research and
development programs on a national treatment basis.
Turkey harmonized its export incentive regime with the
European Union in 1995, prior to the start of the Customs
Union. Turkey currently offers a number of export
incentives, including credits through the Turkish Eximbank,
energy incentives, and research and development incentives.
Foreign investors can participate in these export incentive
programs on a national treatment basis. More information on
Turkey's trade regime can be found at
www.foreigntrade.gov.tr.
Military procurement generally requires an offset provision
in tender specifications. The offset guidelines were
modified to encourage direct investment and technology
transfer.
¶6. Right To Private Ownership And Establishment
With the exceptions noted above, private entities may freely
establish, acquire, and dispose of interests in business
enterprises, and foreign participation is permitted up to
100 percent.
Competitive equality is the standard applied to private
enterprises in competition with public enterprises with
respect to access to markets, credit, and other business
operations. Turkey has an independent Competition Board.
¶7. Protection Of Property Rights
Secured interests in property, both movable and real, are
recognized and enforced. There is a recognized and reliable
system of recording such security interests. For example,
there is a land registry office where real estate is
registered. Turkey's legal system protects and facilitates
acquisition and disposal of property rights, including land,
buildings, and mortgages, although some parties have
complained that the courts are slow in rendering decisions
and that they are susceptible to external influence (see
"Dispute Settlement").
Turkey's intellectual property rights regime has improved in
recent years, but still presents serious problems. Turkey
remained on the U.S. Special 301 Priority Watch List in 2005
due to concerns about insufficient protection for
confidential pharmaceutical test data and continued high
SIPDIS
levels of piracy and counterfeiting of copyright and
trademark materials.
Turkey's copyright law provides deterrent penalties for
copyright infringement. However, it does not prohibit
circumvention of technical protection measures, a key
feature of the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO) "Internet" treaties. In addition, Turkish courts
have failed to render deterrent penalties to pirates as
provided in the copyright law but have instead applied the
Turkish Cinema Law, which has much lower penalties.
Recently enacted legislation contained several strong anti-
piracy provisions, including a ban on street sales of all
copyright products and authorization for law enforcement
authorities to take action without a complaint by the rights
holder. However, the law also reduces potential prison
sentences for piracy convictions. U.S. industry estimated
losses to piracy in 2004 at $50 million for motion pictures,
$15 million for records/music and $23 million for books.
There are signs that anti-piracy measures introduced in 2004
may be having a positive impact on industry.
Turkey is a signatory to a number of international
conventions, including the Stockholm Act of the Paris
Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and the
Strasbourg Agreement.
In accordance with the 1995 patent law and Turkey's
agreement with the EU, patent protection for pharmaceuticals
began on January 1, 1999. Turkey has been accepting patent
applications since 1996 in compliance with the TRIPS
agreement "mailbox" provisions. The patent law does not,
however, contain interim protection for pharmaceuticals in
the research and development "pipeline".
Turkey's recently amended Patent Law provides for penalties
for infringement of up to 3 years in prison, or 47,000 YTL
(approximately $32,000) in fines, or both, and closure of
the business for up to one year. However, research-based
companies in the pharmaceuticals sector have criticized
provisions which delay the initiation of infringement suits
until after the patent is approved and published, permit use
of a patented invention to generate data needed for the
marketing approval of generic pharmaceutical products, and
give judges wider discretion over penalties in infringement
cases. There is concern that amendments proposed this year
to the patent law could lead to weaker enforcement and
penalties and dilute basic intellectual and industrial
property protections.
Turkey does not currently have a system for patent linkage,
which could create confusion and possibly allow generic
pharmaceutical manufacturers to register a copy of a brand
name drug with a valid Turkish patent.
The Ministry of Health introduced limited protection for
confidential test data submitted in support of applications
SIPDIS
to market pharmaceutical products in a regulation issued in
January and revised in June 2005. However, several of the
regulation's provisions severely undermine protection for
confidential test data. Data exclusivity is limited to
SIPDIS
original products licensed in a European Customs Union
country after January 1, 2001, for which no generic
manufacturers had applied for licenses in Turkey as of
January 1, 2005, and the term of exclusivity is limited to
the duration of the drug patent. Also, the six-year term of
data protection starts on the date of licensing in a
European Customs Union country, implying a shorter term of
protection because of the length of the marketing approval
process in Turkey.
Trademark holders also contend that there is widespread and
often sophisticated counterfeiting of their marks in Turkey,
especially in apparel, film, cosmetics, detergent and other
products.
Turkey recently published its first Plant Variety Protection
(PVP) Law. A subsidiary of a major U.S. seed company,
however, has been unable to obtain protection for its
commercial seed under this new law, reportedly at great cost
to the company.
Further information on the intellectual property situation
in Turkey is available in the National Trade Estimate
report, available at the U.S. Trade Representative's
website: www.ustr.gov.
¶8. Transparency Of The Regulatory System
The GOT has adopted policies and laws that in principle
should foster competition and transparency. However, foreign
companies in several sectors claim that regulations are
sometimes applied in a nontransparent manner.
Turkish legislation generally requires competitive bidding
procedures in the public sector. Law 4734 on Public
Procurement established a board to oversee public tenders.
Law 4761 lowered the original minimum bidding threshold at
which foreign companies can participate in state tenders.
The law gives preference to domestic bidders, Turkish
citizens and legal entities established by them, as well as
to corporate entities established under Turkish law by
foreign companies. The public procurement law has been
amended eight times since its enactment and may be further
amended in the future.
In general, labor, health and safety laws and policies do
not distort or impede investment, although legal
restrictions on discharging employees may provide a
disincentive to labor-intensive activity in the formal
economy. Certain tax policies distort investment decisions.
High taxation of cola drinks discourages investment in this
sector. Generous tax preferences for free zones have
provided a stimulus to investment in these zones, though
these preferences will be trimmed in the future (see free
zones section). Similarly, incentives for investment in
certain low-income provinces appear to be stimulating
investment there (see "Performance
Requirements/Incentives").
¶9. Efficient Capital Markets And Portfolio Investment
The government has taken a number of important steps in
recent years to strengthen and better regulate the banking
system, whose weaknesses had contributed to macroeconomic
instability over the previous decade and played an important
role in the 2000-2001 financial crisis. A 2005 revision of
the Banking Law helps to bring the bank regulatory framework
closer to European Union norms. The new law will tighten
bank regulation, notably by broadening the range of
expertise inspectors can draw on when conducting on-site
inspections.
An independent Banking and Regulation Supervision Agency
(BRSA) monitors and supervises Turkey's banks. The BRSA is
headed by a board whose seven members are appointed by the
cabinet for six-year terms. In addition, bank deposits are
protected by an independent deposit insurance agency, the
State Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF).
Because of high local borrowing costs and short repayment
periods, foreign and local firms frequently seek credit from
international markets to finance their activities. As of end-
2005, there are 46 commercial banks (including 13 foreign
banks) and 13 development or investment banks operating in
Turkey. Sector assets as of August 2005 totaled
approximately USD 260 billion, or about 74 percent of GNP,
according to BRSA data.
There is a regulatory system established to encourage and
facilitate portfolio investments, though it needs
improvements in transparency, accounting, and enforcement
provisions to bring it up to U.S. and EU standards. The
Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), formed in 1986, is becoming a
significant emerging market stock exchange. As of December
31 2005, 282 companies were listed on the exchange. However,
Turkey has yet to develop other capital markets. The Capital
Markets Board is responsible for overseeing the activities
of capital markets, including activities of ISE-quoted
companies, and securities and investment houses. The Turkish
private sector is dominated by a number of large holding
companies, whose upper management is family-controlled. Most
large businesses continue to float publicly only a minority
portion of company shares in order to limit outside
interference in company management. There has been no
attempt at a hostile takeover by either international or
domestic parties in recent memory.
¶10. Political Violence
In recent years, terrorist bombings -- some with significant
numbers of casualties -- have struck religious, political,
and business targets in a variety of locations in Turkey.
The potential remains throughout Turkey for violence and
terrorist actions against U.S. citizens and interests, both
by transnational and indigenous terrorist organizations.
In November 2003 the Al-Qa'ida network was responsible for
four large suicide bombings in Istanbul that, among other
targets, hit western interests. Indigenous terrorist groups
also continue to target Turkish as well as U.S. and Western
interests. In June 2004 the indigenous terrorist group
PKK/KADEK/KONGRA GEL announced an end to their "unilateral
ceasefire." Since the announcement, there have been repeated
attacks against Turkish targets in the southeast region of
Turkey, where the group has traditionally concentrated its
activities. In addition, there have been bombings and other
incidents in Istanbul, Bodrum, Antalya, Cesme, Kusadasi and
Mersin. Other terrorist groups, including the Turkish group
Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C),
continue to target Turkish officials and various civilian
facilities and may use terrorist activity to make political
statements. In 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 civilian venues
such as courthouses, fast food restaurants, and public
transportation were the targets of minor bomb attacks,
resulting in small numbers of casualties. Similar, random
bombings are likely to continue in unpredictable locations.
Americans traveling to Southeastern Turkey, the site of
PKK/KADEK/KONGRA GEL actions, should exercise caution.
Although the Turkish government takes air safety seriously
and maintains strict controls, particularly on international
flights, hijacking attempts have occurred as recently as
¶2003. For the latest security information on Turkey and
throughout the world, travelers should monitor the State
Department web site http://travel.state.gov, where the
current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel
Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found.
¶11. Corruption
Corruption is perceived to be a major problem in Turkey by
private enterprise and the public at large, particularly in
government procurement. American companies operating in
Turkey have complained about being solicited, with varying
degrees of pressure, by municipal or local authorities for
"contributions to the community". Parliament continues to
probe corruption allegations involving senior officials in
previous governments, particularly in connection with energy
projects.
Recent public procurement reforms were designed to make
procurement more transparent and less susceptible to
political interference, including through the establishment
of an independent public procurement board with the power to
void contracts. The judicial system is also perceived to be
susceptible to external influence and to be biased against
outsiders to some degree.
Turkish legislation outlaws bribery and some prosecutions of
government officials for corruption have taken place, but
enforcement is uneven. Turkey ratified the OECD Convention
on Combating Bribery of Public Officials, and passed
implementing legislation in January 2003 to provide that
bribes of foreign officials, as well as domestic, are
illegal and not tax deductible. In 2005, Turkey's Foreign
Affairs Committee approved a draft law ratifying the UN
Convention Against Corruption, which was signed in 2003.
Amendments in 2005 to Turkey's Criminal Code make it
unlawful to promise or to give any advantage to foreign
government officials in exchange for their assistance in
providing improper advantage in the conduct of international
business. In the event that such a crime makes an unlawful
benefit to a legal entity, such legal entity shall be
subject to certain security measures. The provisions of the
Criminal Law regarding the bribing of foreign governmental
officials are in line with the provisions of the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 of the United States (the
"FCPA").
There are, however, a number of differences between the
Turkish law and the FCPA. For example, there is not an
exception under the Turkish law for payments to facilitate
or expedite performance of a "routine governmental action"
in terms of the FCPA. Another difference between the
provisions of the FCPA and the Turkish law is that the FCPA
does not provide for a punishment of imprisonment, while the
Turkish law provides a punishment of imprisonment from four
years to 12 years. The Prime Ministry's Inspection Board,
which advises a new Corruption Investigations Committee, is
responsible for investigating major corruption cases. Nearly
every state agency has its own inspector corps responsible
for investigating internal corruption. The parliament can
establish investigative commissions to examine corruption
allegations concerning Cabinet Ministers for the Prime
Minister. A majority vote is needed to send these cases to
the Supreme Court for further action.
Transparency International has an affiliated NGO in
Istanbul. Transparency International noted that Turkey
improved its fight against corruption in 2005, moving Turkey
from 77th to 65th in the transparency ranking of 159
countries.
¶12. Bilateral Investment Agreements
Since 1985, Turkey has been negotiating and signing
agreements for the reciprocal promotion and protection of
investments. Turkey has signed bilateral investment treaties
with 74 countries and has initiated negotiations with nine
countries. 54 of these agreements are now in force,
including with the United States, United Kingdom, Germany,
the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Austria,
Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Finland, Italy, Portugal,
Hungary, Poland, Romania, Tunisia, Kuwait, Bangladesh,
China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Croatia, Cuba, the
Czech Republic, Estonia, Russian Federation, Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, Georgia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,
Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Pakistan,
Turkmenistan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Bulgaria,
Argentina, Bosnia, Malaysia, Egypt, Mongolia, Greece,
Israel, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Iran.
Turkey's bilateral investment treaty with the United States
came into effect on May 18, 1990. A bilateral tax treaty
between the two countries took effect on January 1, 1998.
Turkey has avoidance of double taxation agreements with 61
countries.
¶13. OPIC And Other Investment Insurance Programs
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) offers a
full range of programs in Turkey, including political risk
insurance for U.S. investors, under its bilateral agreement
with Turkey. OPIC is also active in financing private
investment projects implemented by U.S. investors in Turkey.
OPIC-supported direct equity funds, including the USD 200
million Soros Private Equity Fund can make direct equity
investments in private sector projects in Turkey. Small- and
medium-sized U.S. investors in Turkey are also eligible to
utilize the new Small Business Center facility at OPIC,
offering OPIC finance and insurance support on an expedited
basis for loans from USD 100,000 to USD 10 million. In 1987,
Turkey became a member of the Multinational Investment
Guarantee Agency (MIGA).
The U.S. Government annually purchases approximately USD 24
million of local currency. Embassy purchases are made at
prevailing market rates, which fluctuate in accordance with
Turkey's free floating exchange rate regime.
¶14. Labor
Turkey has a youthful population of 71 million, 65.5 percent
of which is in the 15-64 age group and 28.8 percent in the 0-
14 age group. Of the total population, 60.3 percent live in
urban areas. The Turkish labor force numbers 24.9 million
(22.6 million employed and 2.4 million unemployed); 35.9
percent of the workforce is in agriculture. The official
unemployment rate was 9.7 in the third quarter of 2005.
The literacy rate in Turkey is 88.3 percent (95.7 percent
among men and 81.1 percent among women). Students are
required to complete eight years of schooling and to remain
in school until they are 15 years old. Those who complete
primary school education account for 96.1 percent of the
population, of which only 30.3 percent complete vocational
or higher educations, including distance education.
Turkey has an abundance of unskilled and semi-skilled labor.
Although the Ministry of Education launched projects within
the framework of EU programs to meet the needs of high-tech
industries, there is a shortage of qualified workers.
Individual high-tech firms, both local and foreign-owned,
have generally conducted their own training programs for
such job categories. Vocational training schools for some
commercial and industrial skills exist in Turkey at the high
school level. Formal apprenticeship programs remain in
place, although informal training is dying out in some
traditional occupations. Turkey's labor force has a
reputation for being hardworking, productive and dependable.
Labor-management relations have been generally good in
recent years. Employers are obliged by law to negotiate in
good faith with unions that have been certified as
bargaining agents. Strikes are usually of short duration and
almost always peaceful. Approximately 2.9 million of the 11
to 12 million wage and salary earners are unionized. The
law prohibits discrimination on the basis of union
membership but discrimination occurs occasionally in
practice. There is no obligation for a worker to become a
member of any union and there is no obligation to make a
collective labor agreement for any sector. However, in
order to be covered by a collective labor agreement, a
worker should be a member of a union. In order to be a
bargaining agent, a union must have a membership of more
than half of the workers employed in a work place and
include at least 10 percent of the workers employed in that
specific sector. The Labor Law sets a series of steps to be
followed, including mediation by an Arbitration Board,
before a union may initiate a strike. Facilitating labor-
employer relations is among the responsibilities of the
Economic and Social Council, which aims at maintaining an
effective dialogue between the state and social parties to
encourage compromise in industrial relations.
Turkey has signed many International Labor Organization
(ILO) conventions protecting workers' rights, including
conventions on Freedom of Association and Protection of the
Right to Organize; Rights to Organize and to Bargain
Collectively; Abolition of Forced Labor; Minimum Wage;
Occupational Health and Safety; Termination of Employment
and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor. Since
1980, Turkey has faced criticism by the ILO, particularly
for shortcomings in enforcement of ILO Convention 87
(Convention Concerning Freedom of Association and Protection
of the Right to Organize) and Convention 98 (Convention
Concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to
Organize and to Bargain Collectively). However, in 1995 and
2001, constitutional amendments reduced restrictions on
freedom of association and political activity on trade
unions. The restrictions on the right to strike under
Article 54 of the Constitution were preserved intact. Civil
servants (defined broadly as all employees of the central
government ministries, including teachers) are allowed to
form trade unions and to engage in limited collective
negotiations, but are prohibited from striking.
The Job Security Bill provides basic job security for
workers and requiring a valid reason for the termination of
the labor contract at the initiative of the employer. Labor
Law 4857 provided employers with greater flexibility in the
organization of work and weakened to a certain extent the
job security provided by the 2002 law. It contains many new
provisions in conformity with international regulations of
the ILO and the EU.
There are no special laws or exemptions from regular labor
laws in the country's 21 free trade and export processing
zones, although these zones are otherwise regulated by Free
Trade Zones Law 3218.
Use of technology is encouraged at work. There is a special
law concerning establishment of Technology Development Zones
(called "techno-parks"). The state also contributes to
research and development activities either though
reimbursement or providing subsidies. The personnel
expenses, cost of machinery, equipment and software,
consultancy and other services, fees paid to scientific
institutions, registration fees for patent and industrial
designs to the Patent Institute, and the cost of R&D related
materials may be reimbursed up to 60% by the state. This
aid may be extended for up to 3 years.
¶15. Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports
Firms operating in Turkey's 21 free zones have historically
enjoyed many advantages. The zones are open to a wide range
of activities, including manufacturing, storage, packaging,
trading, banking, and insurance. Foreign products enter and
leave the free zones without payment of any customs or
duties. Income generated in the zones is exempt from
corporate and individual income taxation and from the value-
added tax, but firms are required to make social security
contributions for their employees. Additionally,
standardization regulations in Turkey do not apply to the
activities in the free zones, unless the products are
imported into Turkey. Sales to the Turkish domestic market
are allowed, with goods and revenues transported from the
zones into Turkey subject to all relevant import
regulations. There are no restrictions on foreign firms
operations in the free zones. Indeed, the operator of one of
Turkey's most successful free zones located in Izmir is an
American firm.
Under Law 5084, taxpayers who possessed an operating license
as of February 6, 2004, will not have to pay income or
corporate tax on their earnings in the zone for the duration
of their license. Earnings based on sale of goods
manufactured in a zone will be exempt from income and
corporate tax until the end of the year in which Turkey
becomes a member of the European Union. Earnings secured in
a free zone under corporate tax immunity and paid as
dividends to real person shareholders in Turkey or to real
person or legal-entity shareholders abroad will be subject
to 10 percent withholding tax. The tax immunity of the wage
and salary income earned by persons employed in the zones by
taxpayers possessing an operating license as of February 6,
2004, will remain in effect until December 31, 2008, or the
expiration date of the operating license, whichever is
earlier. The implications of the new rules are complex, and
interested parties may want to consult with a tax advisor
and/or the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat (web site:
www.dtm.gov.tr).
¶16. Foreign Direct Investment Statistics
With the foreign investment permit requirement in place
until 2003, the Turkish Treasury collected detailed sector
and country of origin data for authorized FDI. Data
collected since the abolition of the permit requirement, by
the Central Bank and other entities, may not be directly
comparable to data collected prior to 2003.
According to Turkish Treasury data, as of November 2005,
there are 10,984 foreign firms invested and operating in
Turkey. The aggregate actual inflows reached USD 21.7
billion. In 2004, EU countries accounted for 79.5 percent of
FDI inflows to Turkey, OECD countries accounted for 16.7
percent, and Middle East countries for 3.8 percent. Over the
past two decades, the Netherlands (32.3 percent) has been
the top source of foreign investment, followed by Germany
(10.1 percent), United Kingdom (10.0 percent) and the U.S.
(9.7 percent) Because of the absence of a bilateral tax
treaty until 1998, much U.S.-origin capital was invested in
Turkey through third-country subsidiaries. According to U.S.
Commerce Department data, U.S. company investment amounted
to about USD 2 billion in 2003. By unofficial estimates, the
U.S. may be one of the largest sources of foreign investment
in Turkey.
In 2004, about 75.8 percent of foreign direct investment
took place in services, 18.0 percent in manufacturing, 5.9
percent in mining and 0.3 percent in agriculture.
FDI Inflow by Years (million USD)
Year Actual Inflow(Cumulative) Inflow/GDP No firms
1980-1988 1,172
1989 663 0.80 1,525
1990 684 0.67 1,856
1991 907 0.69 2,123
1992 911 0.78 2,330
1993 746 0.56 2,554
1994 636 0.64 2,830
1995 934 0.66 3,163
1996 914 0.53 3,582
1997 852 0.54 4,068
1998 953 0.49 4,533
1999 813 0.41 4,950
2000 1,707 0.85 5,328
2001 3,288 2.21 5,841
2002 1,042 0.48 6,280
2003 1,702 0.71 6,511
2004 2,765 0.92 8,661
2005* 3,742 1.42 10,984
TOTAL 21,666 10,984
Source: Central Bank of Turkey, State Institute of
Statistics,
(*)January through September 2005.
(**) Includes capital inflows, foreign loans and real estate
investment.
FDI Stock by Source Country (end of 2004/ million USD)
Country Value Share (percent)
Netherlands 9,526 32.3
Germany 2,969 10.1
United Kingdom 2,952 10.0
U.S.A 2,859 9.7
France 2,450 8.3
Italy 1,207 4.1
Switzerland 1,072 3.6
Finland 1,043 3.5
Belgium 864 2.9
Japan 846 2.8
Canada 825 2.8
Others 2,897 9.8
Total 29,510 100.0
Source: Central Bank of Turkey.
The investment permit requirement lifted as of 2004.
Turkey's External Investment by Country (As of December
2005)
Country Amount Share
(USD millions)
Netherlands 2,485.2 31.9
Azerbaijan 1,891.6 24.3
United Kingdom 521.0 6.7
Germany 461.9 5.9
Kazakhstan 442.2 5.7
Luxembourg 249.9 3.2
United States 186.7 2.4
Russia 170.4 2.2
Romania 158.4 2.0
Switzerland 108.8 1.4
France 94.3 1.2
Others 1,020.7 13.1
Total 7,791.1 100.0
Source: General Directorate of Banking and Foreign Exchange,
Treasury
Major foreign investors
Turkey's foreign investors include Telecom Italia, Renault,
Toyota, Fiat, Castrol, Enron Power, Citibank, Pirelli Tire,
Unilever, RJR Nabisco, Philip Morris, United Defense, Honda,
Hyundai, Bosch, Siemens, DaimlerChrysler, Chase Manhattan,
AEG, Bridgestone-Firestone, Cargill, Novartis, Coca Cola,
Colgate-Palmolive, General Electric, ITT, Ford Motor Co.,
Lockheed Martin, Goodyear, Aventis, McDonald's, Nestle,
Mobil, Pepsi, Pfizer, Procter and Gamble, InterGen, Abbot
Laboratories, Aria, Bechtel, Shell, Delphi-Packard,
Toreador/Madison Oil, AES, GE, NRG, Normandy Mining, Marsa-
Kraft-Jacobs Suchard, ESBAS A.S., Archer Daniels Midland,
Merck, Sharp Dohme, Bunge, and Bausch and Lomb.
McEldowney