Turkish authorities on Monday (21 November) blocked a delegation of national and European Parliament lawmakers from visiting the leader of Turkey's main pro-Kurdish party, who has been held in jail for almost three weeks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday (21 November) urged the European Union and West to step up backing of Ankara's fight against Kurdish militants, as he addressed a meeting of NATO lawmakers.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was quoted saying yesterday (20 November) that Turkey did not need to join the European Union "at all costs" and could instead become part of a security bloc dominated by China, Russia and Central Asian nations.
A report published by an organisation close to the movement of Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish preacher accused by the authorities of Ankara of being the mastermind of the failed 15 July coup, questions the official story and highlights many abuses for which the coup appears to be a pretext.
Top EU lawmakers yesterday (16 November) cancelled a visit to Turkey after Ankara refused to see one of the MEPs because of her criticism of Ankara's massive crackdown following July's failed coup, a parliament source said.
EU doom-mongers predicted in the wake of the United Kingdom’s Brexit vote that other countries would follow suit in the months and years to come. But one of the countries touted as a fellow ‘exiter’, Austria, looks likely to stay in the European club for now. EurActiv Germany reports.
Serbia should improve its understanding of independent bodies, including the Ombudsman, while its parliament should be more active in overseeing the government, the European Commission said in its annual Progress Report for Serbia. EurActiv Serbia reports.
Turkey is "fed up" with European Union condescension in talks over its application to join the bloc, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said yesterday (15 November), reflecting Ankara's exasperation with EU criticism over human rights.
European Union foreign ministers yesterday (14 November) criticised Turkey's crackdown on alleged supporters of a failed military coup in July but Austria's call to suspend Ankara's EU membership bid failed to garner enough backing.
As the United Kingdom, a member state of over 40 years, opts for exit over voice and loyalty, it is opportune to address the question of EU membership and how it matters, writes Brigid Laffan.
Turkey is heading to a referendum on granting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan new powers as early as next spring, ratcheting up tensions amid a crackdown on dissent and pro-Kurdish politicians, analysts say.
Turkish journalist Can Dündar has criticised Europe for prolonging its dependence on his homeland when it comes to managing the refugee crisis. He also lamented the continent’s relegation of human rights on its list of priorities. EurActiv Spain reports.
The government in Belgrade is generally satisfied with the European Commission’s annual report on Serbia’s progress in European integration published on Wednesday (9 November), even though it might not agree with all of its conclusions. EurActiv Serbia reports.
Neighbourhood Commissioner Johannes Hahn, who is also responsible of enlargement negotiations, said today (9 November) that faced with the pressure of some political groups and some member states to freeze the negotiations with Turkey, he wants a clear mandate to discuss the issue with Ankara.
The results of the US election show the need for the EU to start focusing on its own interests, Knut Fleckenstein, vice-president of the Socialists and Democrats group (S&D), told EurActiv.com.
The European Union stepped up criticism yesterday (8 November) of Turkey's crackdown on opponents and alleged plotters behind a failed coup, drawing a sharp retort from Ankara, which accused Europe of failing to grasp the threats it faces.
Energy majors are lining up to obtain hydrocarbon exploration projects in Moldova but the outcome is dependent on the result of the upcoming presidential election, according to a former Romanian energy minister. EurActiv Romania reports.
The Association of European Journalists (AEJ) has called on the European institutions to exert more pressure on Turkey, in face of further restrictions on freedom of expression and the press. EurActiv Germany reports.
Austria said on Monday (7 November) it will meet with its Balkan neighbours to discuss what action they might take if a deal with Turkey aimed at restricting the flow of illegal migrants into the European Union collapses.
Luxembourg's Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn said today (7 November) that the Turkish government's handling of dismissed civil servants reminded him of methods used by the Nazis, and that, sooner or later, the EU would have to respond with sanctions.
The Cyprus peace negotiations will be relocating to Switzerland this week, as the island nation’s Greek and Turkish leaders look to make progress on some of the most difficult issues hampering reunification. EurActiv Spain reports.
A special prosecutor investigating an alleged plot to sway last month's election in Montenegro said on 6 November a group of "Russian nationalists" had planned to assassinate Prime Minister Milo Djukanović in order to get an opposition party into power.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Europe yesterday (6 November) of abetting terrorism by supporting Kurdish militants and said he did not care if the continent called him a dictator.
