Turkey

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday (February 25th) that he supports continuing EU talks with Turkey, but he reiterated his view that an alternative to full membership is preferred. “We are not planning on

Turkey wants to be allowed to participate in EU summits and liberalized visa policy for its citizens, Turkey’s chief EU negotiator, Egemen Bagis, said Thursday.

Georgia’s president has urged Turkey to help realize the unification of the South Caucasus but said his country does not want Russia or Iran in the alliance. “The emergence of the ‘United Caucasus’ is my aspiration,” Mikheil Saakashvili reportedly told Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu while discussing the concept of …

Greek Foreign Minister Demetris Droutsas on Tuesday urged Turkey to act constructively for a solution to the decades-old Cyprus problem. Droutsas was in Cyprus for a two-day visit for talks with Greek Cypriots before flying to London and New York. He expressed support for a viable solution in Cyprus, adding …

With key European Union states showing no sign of relenting in their opposition to Turkey’s accession, the government has postponed dozens of laws required to be passed to achieve harmonization with the 27-nation bloc’s standards until after the June elections, and even beyond.

Greek Foreign Minister Demetris Droutsas on Monday said his ministry was working on a plan that would allow for the issuance one-day visas for Turkish tourists. “I believe there is a significant increase in the number of Turks visiting Greece. And we are trying to work the issue out on …

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who stepped down Friday (February 11th) after weeks of mass protests. The Turkish leader expressed hope for a fast transition to a constitutional democracy through elections. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also welcomed the developments. …

Turkish ambassador to Bulgaria İsmail Aramaz says that the visa system for Turkish citizens wanting to enter Bulgaria is a “serious obstacle to the future development of bilateral relations”. “Our government constantly urges the Bulgarian authorities to consider this issue,” he said. “In the previous instance, our prime minister, Recep …

Turkish Cypriot trade union members and supporters of left-wing parties joined a march in the northern part of Nicosia on Monday (February 7th) against what they described as “belittling” statements by Turkish Prime

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday (February 6th) urged authorities in northern Cyprus to track down participants in the January 28th rally. The protest in the Turkish-dominated part of the