Turkey Demands Changes In Exchange For Financial Support

Halkin Sesi newspaper (06.04.16) reports that the provisions of the draft Economic Protocol for the period 2016-18 includes transferring the infrastructure of the ports and the telecommunication authority into private-public partnership. Retirement age will increase to 65, the percentages of the fees for the health sector will increase and the state planning organization will be abolished.

Elsewhere much has been made of the fact that Turkey is demanding that the Turkish judiciary system, that works so well in Turkey, will replace the North’s. Narin Ferdi Sefik, President of the Supreme Court, has described this move as “unacceptable and contrary to the constitution”

Full details are shown below:

• The retirement age will increase to 65 (the retirement age in the occupied area increased seven years ago).
• The electricity authority will be divided in three enterprises and the distribution will be privatized in December 2017.
• The contributions to the social insurance and providence funds will increase.
• A new penalty under the name of “probation tax” will be imposed in the debts owed to the state.
• The professional chambers will not submit documents during the tender procedures.
• The personnel expenses of the municipalities will not exceed 35% of their budget.
• The funds will be totally and urgently abolished.
• The ratio of the personnel expenses to the local income will decrease from 80% to 70%.
• The contributions to the “providence fund” will be equalized.
• The business tax will increase.
• The bankruptcy and foreclosure system will be speeded up.
• Turkey’s judiciary system will be implemented in the north.
• A mediation institution will be established before disputes going to court.
• A public transportation company will be established with the participation of the municipalities.
• The fees in the health sector will increase and an additional “participation fee” will be taken.
• The pensioners who will start working again will pay an insurance contribution but this money will not influence their pension.
• Public land will more easily be given to foreign investors in the field of tourism.
• The operation of the ports will be transferred to the private sector.
• The infrastructure and the services in the telecommunications will be transferred to a public-private partnership.
• The price supports on agriculture will be abolished.
• The organizations for agricultural products and dairy products (TUK and SUTEK respectively) will be turned into intervention institutions.
• Private insurance will be implemented in agriculture.
• The overtime work will be terminated in the ports and customs and the two-shifts system will be implemented.
• Companies with foreign partners will be granted a permit for transport/carrying vehicles.
• The state planning organization will be abolished.