(New York Times) Dan Bilefsky - Israel's raid on a Turkish-led flotilla to Gaza in May has solidified an already blossoming friendship between Syria and Turkey, the new hero of the Muslim world. Monthly pilgrimages of tens of thousands of Syrians to the southeastern Turkish city of Gaziantep - which intensified after the two countries removed visa requirements last September - are the latest manifestation of growing ties between Turkey and Syria, part of the Turkish government's efforts to reach out to its neighbors by using economic and cultural links to help it become a regional leader. Trade between Turkey and Syria more than doubled from $795 million in 2006 to $1.6 billion in 2009, and is expected to reach $5 billion in the next three years. Last year the Middle East received nearly 20% of Turkey's exports, about $19.2 billion worth of goods, compared with 12.5% in 2004. In Syria, meanwhile, Turkey's blend of conservative Islam and cosmopolitan democracy is increasingly viewed as a model in the younger generation. Turkish soap operas and films are attaining cult status, while for Syrians, Turkey has become synonymous with European modernity.
2010-07-28 07:54:49Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive