Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan rebuffed intensified international criticism over Turkey’s choice to engage a missile defense deal with China, a day after NATO wanted a say in the decision-making process.

Kurdish rebels are ready to re-enter Turkey from northern Iraq, the head of the group’s political wing said at his mountain hideout, threatening to rekindle an insurgency unless Ankara resuscitates their peace process soon. Accusing Turkey of waging a proxy war against Kurds in Syria by backing Islamist rebels fighting …

EU Ambassador to Turkey Jean-Maurice Ripert has said that the European Union and Turkey share the same goal in Egypt, which is establishing peace and democracy in the Middle Eastern country, even if they do not use the same language.

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has called Turkish President Abdullah Gül to thank Turkey for its efforts in saving nine Lebanese pilgrims who were being held hostage by the Syrian opposition and getting them home safely.

The European Union’s General Affairs Council has confirmed the opening of Chapter 22, on regional policies, with Turkey, in a move welcomed by the EU’s commissioner for enlargement Stefan Füle. 

Bulgaria has asked for an additional EUR 6 M in order to cope with the ongoing refugee influx, Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev revealed on Monday. Yovchev, who attended an emergency cabinet sitting over the refugee crisis, told reporters

Germany has given the green light for the opening of the 22nd chapter in the EU accession negotiations. The formal launch of talks regarding the chapter on regional policy, which was delayed until after the release of the 2013 EU progress report

Bulgaria has reiterated its support for Turkey and Western Balkan countries’ EU accession efforts. “Bulgaria has always been consistent in its support for the European future of the countries from the region. We are convinced that European integration is the only right way to achieve prosperity, security and

Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler has denied statements that his country is constructing a wall along its border with Syria. Guler has clarified that fences are being constructed on the Turkish- Syrian border

Soldiers with the Northern Hurricane Brigade armed group, which is fighting on the side of the Syrian opposition, surrendered to the Turkish authorities. According to data of the local media, 85 people have surrendered to a police station close to the border after Turkey opened fire at the Syrian territory. …