Turkey
Ten Turkish communists sentenced in controversial German trial
Ten members of a banned Turkish communist party were sentenced to several years in jail by a court in Munich Tuesday (28 July) after a four-year trial over their role in what Ankara considers to be a terrorist organisation.
Macron seeks EU sanctions over Turkish ‘violations’ in Greek waters
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (23 July) demanded EU sanctions against Turkey for "violations" of Greek and Cypriot waters and said the European Union should act over the crisis in Libya.
Greek navy on ‘heightened readiness’ over Turkish gas exploration
Greece’s navy said Wednesday (22 July) it had deployed ships in the Aegean in “heightened readiness” after Turkey announced plans for energy exploration near a Greek island. Turkey is at odds with Greece and the European Union over maritime rights...
Turkey must stop ‘provocation’ in eastern Mediterranean: Germany
Fraught relations with Turkey could improve if Ankara halts "provocations", Germany said Tuesday (21 July), referring to what the EU considers illegal Turkish oil drilling in the Mediterranean.
Hagia Sophia: The violation of a symbol
No logical or plausible excuse justifies the conversion of the Hagia Sofia into a mosque, all it does is adds fuel to the fire of nationalism and religious fundamentalism, writes Constantinos Alexandris
EU gives Turkey one month as pressure for sanctions mounts
EU foreign affairs ministers decided yesterday (13 July) to explore ways of easing tensions with Turkey in the Mediterranean, warning at the same time that Europe will not hesitate to pick the sanctions option if the situation deteriorates.
Greece pushes for sanctions against Turkey, but EU insists on dialogue
Greece's minister of foreign affairs will ask the EU on Monday (13 July) for a list of potential sanctions against Turkey in case Ankara violates Greek territory. However, EU sources said last week that dialogue should be prioritised in the face of Turkey's increasingly defiant behaviour.
US to start Cyprus military training, defying Turkey
The US said Wednesday (8 July) it plans to conduct military training with Cyprus for the first time, defying NATO ally Turkey, which warned of destabilization.
The Brief, powered by BSEF – Turkey threatens, Borrell smiles
On Monday (6 July), EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell met Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu, who publicly threatened the EU with retaliation if further sanctions are imposed on Ankara. The threat was met with a diplomatic appeal for dialogue, which - it is increasingly clear now - sometimes just doesn't cut it.
German government criticises Turkey’s Syria invasion
The Turkish invasion into the Kurdish region lacked "legitimacy under international law". Berlin's development ministry wants to help in northern Syria because of COVID-19. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Turkey, Austria trade barbs over Kurdish-Turkish clashes in Vienna
Austria and Turkey accused each other on Monday (29 June) of responding inappropriately to clashes between Kurdish and Turkish protesters in Vienna last week, further straining relations.
EU’s Borrell says Turkish gas drills off Cyprus ‘must stop’
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Thursday (25 June) that "illegal" Turkish drilling for gas off the divided island of Cyprus "must stop", as he met Cypriot officials in Nicosia.
Egypt has a legitimate right to intervene in Libya, Sisi says
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday (20 June) said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in neighbouring Libya and ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission outside the country, if necessary.
Turkey accuses France of exacerbating Libya crisis
Turkey angrily accused France on Tuesday (16 June) of exacerbating the crisis in Libya and violating UN and NATO decisions by supporting the forces of Khalifa Haftar against the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).
Turkey says it may expand cooperation with Libya’s GNA
Turkey may expand its cooperation with Libya's internationally recognised government with new deals on energy and construction once the country's conflict is over, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin was quoted as saying on Sunday (7 June).
Turkey vows more support to secure gains in Libya conflict
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vowed on Thursday (4 June) to ramp up Turkey's support for its ally in Libya to lock in recent military gains, and promised joint exploration for oil at sea following talks in Ankara ahead of a potential ceasefire push.
Nicosia struggles with migrants crossing from Northern Cyprus
In the thick of the coronavirus lockdown in Cyprus, authorities gave a group of asylum seekers a stark choice: move to an overcrowded camp or go home.
Athens rejects ‘illegal’ Turkey drilling plan
Greece on Monday (1 June) attacked Turkey's plan to carry out oil drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, describing it as "a new provocation".
The opposition’s potential to undermine the Erdogan regime increases
Due to the growing economic recession, the possibility of early elections in Turkey is increasing, writes Lucia Yar.
Greece dismisses reports Turkey occupied Evros river border strip
Greece on Sunday (24 May) dismissed reports that Turkish soldiers had occupied a strip of Greek territory in the Evros border region, where Athens is expanding a fence to keep migrants out.
‘Are we in Greece?’: Migrants seize their chance in Europe quest
The thousands of migrants at the Kastanies border town between Turkey and Greece are desperate to reach Europe and furious with Greeks who "won't open the gates".
Bulgaria proposes to take over EU truck cargo, drive it to Turkey
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov will propose to EU leaders during their teleconference on Thursday (26 March) that his country would transship goods of trucks from EU countries going to Turkey. The alternative is that EU drivers would wait 14 days before being allowed to enter Turkey.
Turkey shuts borders with Greece and Bulgaria amid coronavirus fears
The Turkish government has decided to close its rail and land border with Greece and Bulgaria amid fears over the coronavirus spread, AFP quoted Turkish media as saying.