Under the law, approved by the Parliament of Turkey on May 3, 2012, the principle of reciprocity between Turkey and 89 countries is repealed. Citizens of these countries will be able to purchase a property in Turkey, even if Turkish citizens are not allowed to buy property in their countries . The list of these countries  includes Russia, the Gulf countries, etc. The total area of ​land that foreigners can own was  also increased from 2.5 ha to 30 ha.
For Russian buyers it also means, that they will be able to acquire not only the finished housing units (apartments and villas), but also land on an individual name, which was impossible before.

This law should significantly increase the amount of foreign investment in Turkey, as well as greatly simplify the process of acquisition and clearance of the property.

The law will come into force upon signature by the President.

However, the general rule that the total period of stay of Russian citizens on the territory of Turkey shall not exceed 90 days during each of the 180-day period still remains. Those Russians who wish to stay in Turkey for more than 60 days in advance should contact the Consulate of the Republic in Russia for a visa  in advance or to issue a residence permit for a longer period of time.

Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations among Russian tourists. In 2011 this country had a record number of Russians – 3.47 million, an 11.6% more than in 2010. Russians make up 11.03% of all foreign tourists who visited Turkey last year.

It is reported that the island has already been given the name ‘Inner city’ – “Icheri shehir”, by analogy with the old town in Baku. The island is an active construction of various types of recreational facilities, including in the form of Baku’s Maiden Tower and the fortress gates. There will also be open restaurants of well-known international network «Billionaire» and «Cipriani».

The opening ceremony of the island is planned for summer 2012, with performances of world-know singers and artists.

Mr. Mansimov  is the owner of Palmalife hotel located in Yalikavak area in the northern part of the Bodrum peninsula, as well as newly acquired Marina – Palmarina in the same area.

The program of the festival, this year will start with the Comedy Dance Trio at 20-30, followed by the concert of Baha starting at 21.00 pm.

The Friday, April 27, program will start at 21.30 at the Konacik municipality with the musical comedy “Kanli Nigar” written by Sendil Sadik, with the famous actors performing the play.

The third day of the festival will include a variety of events and performances including the meetings of the scout teams from Kosovo, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Georgia and other cities of Turkey under  “Pedasa Scouts program”.

Pedasa Scouts day seminars, on Sunday, April the 29th, held by the local guides, representing history and culture of the region, will end the festival with a variety of shows.

In order to visit the country the tourists will need to have a valid passport and reservation of the hotel.

According to the website of the Embassy of Croatia in Russian Federation, this is most likely the last summer season when Croatia introduces non-visa entry.

From July 1, 2013 it is expected that  Croatia ill become the member of the European Union, and according to internal rules, it will be  necessary to establish the visa entry regime. Nevertheless,  the entry into the Schengen zone is not expected until 2015. This practically means that those travelers who have Schengen visas in their passports will not be able still to enter the country and in this case have to apply for a Croatian visa from the Embassy.

The national average price in H2 2011, after a slight increase in H1, has fallen by 0.03% in the second part of the year. The average price equals Euro 1,583 per square metre. Moreover residential transactions have recorded a 1.9% decrease in 2011, involving the sales of 1,321,229 properties.

These are the data released by the real estate observatory of the Agency for the Territory.

Adana State Theater Deputy Director Hakan Elmasoglu said that groups from Italy, Belgium, Spain, China and Holland will take the stage at this year’s festival, in addition to 13 Turkish theater groups, and that a total of 60 plays will be staged during the 30-day festival. He also said that this year for the first time the festival will host workshops.

Festival events will kick off on March 27 with Italian Studio Fest’s performance of “The World of Magic Dreams” on the historic Taşköprü Bridge.

Tickets for the festival are already on sale from internet and state selling desks, the prices start from 7,5 TL.

During 2011 approximately Euro 600mn have been invested in retail assets in Rome, -10% compared to 2010. Whereas around Euro 530 mn have been invested in office properties in Milan.

The forecast for this year is less optimistic however it is predicted to reach more or less the same volumes of investments ( around 3.5-4 bn Euro) in 2012 if there is no serious global crisis.

According to the statistical center of the country, compared with December 2011, prices in January, outside the capital region  rose by 2% , in the metropolitan area prices rose by 1.4%.

Compared with January 2011, prices across the country rose by 1.1%. Since July last year, home prices fell in every month an average of 1%.

In January 2012 the average price per square meter for old houses was  2107 euro.  In Helsinki, the square meter cost 3350 euros. Outside the metropolitan area cost per square meter on average was fixed at 1620 euros.

Among the attendees were Turkish Ambassador to London Ünal Çeviköz; the director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in London, Tolga Tüylüoğlu; Borusan Culture and Arts General Director Ahmet Erenli; cellist Leonard Elschenbroich; pianist Alexei Grynyuk; violinist Nicola Benedetti and pianist Ayşe Deniz Gökçin and Lara Melda. Musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the New London Consort attended the ceremony as well.

Istanbul Music Festival Director Yeşim Gürer Oymak said the event was the only festival organized in both Europe and Asia and is one of the most important ones in Europe. It is also a unique chance to promote Turkish musician on English market which is one of the hardest ones to enter.

The event ended with the screening of a video showcasing the 40 years of the Istanbul Music Festival.

The 40th Istanbul Music Festival will be organized from May 31 to June 29 2012 and host more than 750 Turkish and foreign artists.