Turkey
Greek, Turkish ministers clash at heated Ankara presser
The foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey on Thursday (15 April) clashed on a wide range of issues during a heated news conference that underscored the trouble the two historic rivals will have at mending their broken ties.
Turkey frees journalist Altan after European rights court ruling
A Turkish court on Wednesday (14 April) released journalist and novelist Ahmet Altan after more than four years in prison on charges of involvement in a failed 2016 coup attempt that he had always denied.
Diplomatic double whammy as EU overtures rebuffed by Turkey, Russia
The EU's hopes of rapprochements with Turkey and Russia have been rebuffed. But these diplomatic defeats have been years in the making, writes Robert Ellis.
Protocol scandal symbolises the state of EU-Turkey relations, EU lawmaker says
We shouldn't place "sofa-gate" into the epicentre of a plenary debate, but rather discuss how to rebuild relations with Turkey under a President who no longer has a commitment toward a European future, a leading MEP told EURACTIV.
Italy’s Draghi accuses ‘dictator’ Erdogan, Turkey condemns the ‘ugly’ remarks
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday (8 April) accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of humiliating European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week and said it is important to be frank with "dictators", drawing condemnation from Ankara.
‘Sofa-gate’ brings more headaches for the EU
The protocol scandal that overshadowed the EU leaders’ recent visit to Turkey keeps unfolding, raising questions about Council President Charles Michel's reaction, but also about the EU's consistency in asking Ankara to adhere to the Istanbul Convention.
‘Divan-gate’: Brussels angry over von der Leyen Turkey chair snub
The European Commission hit out Wednesday (7 April) at a diplomatic snub that left its head Ursula von der Leyen without a chair as male counterparts sat down at a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
EU chiefs press Erdogan on rights while stressing better ties
The European Union's top two officials on Tuesday (6 April) expressed deep worries about human rights in Turkey while voicing hope for stronger ties in their first meeting in a year with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Jailed Kurdish leader calls on Turkish opposition to unite against Erdogan
Former pro-Kurdish party leader Selahattin Demirtaş, jailed since 2016 despite Western calls for his release, said the Turkish opposition should unite against rising oppression and moves to divide them, including a court case to ban his party.
EU chiefs in rare Turkey visit to revamp relations
The European Union's top two officials will pay a rare visit on Tuesday (6 April) to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aimed at testing his avowed commitment to improve uneasy ties.
EU dangles carrots for Turkey if ‘de-escalation sustained’
European Union leaders are ready to boost cooperation with Turkey if a "current de-escalation is sustained", they said in a video summit on Thursday (25 March) following a spike in tensions.
US, NATO have strong interest in keeping Turkey close, says Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (23 March) pledged to rebuild and revitalise the transatlantic military alliance after a bruising four years when Washington portrayed NATO as outdated, divided and in crisis. The first top US official to...
Greece, Cyprus frown at ‘too many carrots’ in draft EU declaration on Turkey
A common EU declaration on Turkey currently under discussion ahead of the EU summit on 25-26 March “does not reflect” the balanced approach of EU top diplomat Josep Borrell recent report, Athens and Nicosia have said.
LEAK: Borrell report suggests new carrot-and-stick approach for Turkey
Turkey will be invited to follow a path of dialogue and reap some economic benefits, or move further away from Europe and face consequences, the EU's chief diplomat wrote in his Turkey report, set to be discussed by EU leaders later this week, according to a draft report seen by EURACTIV.
US, Europe press Turkey to rethink ditching of Istanbul Convention
US and European leaders denounced what they called Turkey's baffling and concerning decision to pull out of an international accord designed to protect women from violence, and urged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reconsider.
‘Club Med’ countries show united front on migration
Southern EU countries sometimes called ‘Club Med’ of MED5 on Saturday (20 March) showed a united front at a meeting in Athens, urging solidarity from other EU states in sharing the migration burden.
Whistling in the dark
It's time the EU finally mind up its mind about what to do about Turkey, writes Robert Ellis.
Tables have turned: EU is handling Turkey issue together with Washington
Turkey is not just a European-Turkish issue, but also an issue in our transatlantic partnership, and obviously, our partnership with NATO, senior EU officials have said.
EU ‘deeply concerned’ over crackdown on pro-Kurdish party, Turkey rebuffs criticism
Turkey on Thursday (18 March) told foreign countries to keep out of its domestic affairs after Western powers uniformly condemned its bid to shut down the main pro-Kurdish party.
Turkey moves to ban pro-Kurdish HDP party
Turkey's pro-Kurdish party was fighting for its political survival on Wednesday (17 March) after a prosecutor asked the country's top court to shut it down for alleged links to militants waging a deadly insurgency against the state.
Talks stall in Greece-Turkey maritime dispute
Diplomats from NATO members Greece and Turkey failed to reach a breakthrough on Tuesday (16 March) during a latest round of talks on their standoff over eastern Mediterranean borders and energy rights.
Greece, Turkey, meet for fresh talks on maritime dispute
NATO members Greece and Turkey meet in Athens Tuesday (16 March) to try once more to settle their standoff over eastern Mediterranean borders and energy rights.
NATO chief admits ‘serious concerns’ over Turkey, hopes for more NATO-EU cooperation
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday (15 March) told EU lawmakers he had “serious concerns” over actions by member Turkey and hoped an increased EU-NATO cooperation could counter China. “I have expressed my serious concerns, and we all know there...