TURKEY The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) plans to make major progress in the completion of the main aspects of the Kurdish initiative before the European Union — which Turkey aspires to join — releases a progress report on Turkey’s membership efforts in autumn. The ruling party wants …
Read More »Gov’t to continue Kurdish initiative, no matter the cost
TURKEY The government will continue to take every step necessary to achieve success with its recently announced Kurdish initiative, regardless of what the cost may be, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said. Speaking at his party’s Extended Province Chairmen meeting on the eighth anniversary of the Justice and Development …
Read More »EU’s Turkey critics losing popularity
The impact of the constant objection by French and German leaders to Turkey’s European Union membership drive has been revealed through a public survey that showed a significant loss of confidence in these two countries among the public. According to the survey, conducted this month by the Ankara-based International Strategic …
Read More »Bulgaria’s Constitutional Court to look into Turkey-vote
Bulgaria’s Constitutional Court would look into voting for Bulgarian Parliamentary elections at Turkish polling stations, a media statement from the Order, Law and Justice (OLJ) party said. The initiative for the court case was taken by OLJ party leader Yane Yanev, and the complaint was lodged by chief prosecutor Boris …
Read More »Interior Minister Atalay visits TOBB to discuss “democratic move”
TURKEY Turkish Interior Minister Beşir Atalay on Wednesday visited chairman of the Union of Chambers’ & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu within the scope of government’s “democratic move” aiming to find a solution to Kurdish issue. Speaking after the meeting, Atalay said, “believe me, this is not an …
Read More »Putin’s Ankara visit aims to seek Turkish support for gas pipeline
ANKARA, Turkey Talks expected to boost Ankara’s energy hub ambitions began Thursday as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Putin’s visit is also expected to focus on Turkish support for a Russian natural gas pipeline project that Moscow wants to build ahead of …
Read More »Downer says no pressure for Cyprus deal
NICOSIA, Cyprus Leaders of the two communities on the divided island have made significant progress in reunification talks but no pressure should be exerted to strike an agreement, UN special envoy for Cyprus Alexander Downer told AP on Wednesday (August 5th). “We haven’t set a timeline,” Downer said.
Read More »Russia`s Putin Starts Energy Talks With Turkish PM
Talks expected to boost Ankara’s energy hub ambitions began on Thursday as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. The talks are expected to focus on Turkish support for a major Russian natural gas pipeline project that Moscow wants to build ahead of a rival …
Read More »Turkish army announces new air force, navy commanders
ANKARA, Turkey The army announced on Tuesday (August 4th) that it has appointed new commanders of its air and naval forces. In a statement, the General Staff said the Air Force will be commanded by General Hasan Aksay, who will replace retiring General Aydogan Babaoglu. Admiral Esref Ugur Yigit will …
Read More »EU puts five-year tax on Chinese wire rod, spares Turkey, Moldova
The European Union imposed five-year tariffs on wire rod from China to help EU producers such as ArcelorMittal, Corus Group and Feralpi Siderurgica SpA compete against cheaper imports. Turkey and Moldova were spared. The duties, as high as 24 percent, punish Chinese exporters for selling wire rod in the EU …
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