Turkey
Syrian offensive puts Turkish troops and border plans in peril
Syrian army advances in northwest Syria are putting Turkish troops in the firing line and threaten Ankara's hopes of preventing a new wave of refugees on its southern border.
Erdogan says Turkey to press ahead with gas search off Cyprus
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday (22 August) hit out at EU measures to punish Ankara for drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean and vowed to press ahead with gas search in the region.
US-Russia rivalry in the Middle East is now spilling over into the Mediterranean Sea
Most oil and gas experts agree that the East Med Pipeline Project is a pipe dream that cannot compete with cheap Russian gas. But America’s enthusiastic support for it is more about a re-alignment of alliances, and securing energy supply, writes Nour Samaha.
Turkey, US agree to form joint operation centre for Syria safe zone
Turkey and the United States agreed on Wednesday (7 August) to establish a joint operation centre in Turkey to coordinate and manage a planned safe zone in northeast Syria, a move that appeared to reduce the chance of imminent Turkish military action.
F-35 or SU-35? Erdogan says Turkey to turn elsewhere
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday (26 July) Turkey would turn elsewhere for fighter jets if the United States will not sell it the F-35 jets, adding that a US decision to cut Ankara from the program would not deter it from meeting its needs.
Turkey suspends deal with the EU on migrant readmission
The Turkish government has announced its suspension of the readmission agreement concluded with the EU in 2016, the so-called 'EU-Turkey deal'. This was a response to the EU sanctioning Turkey's gas drilling operations in Cypriot waters. EURACTIV's partner Euroefe reports.
US removing Turkey from F-35 program after its Russian missile defense purchase
The United States said on Wednesday (17 July) that it was removing Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program, a move long threatened and expected after Ankara began accepting delivery of an advanced Russian missile defense system last week.
German arms exports to Ankara continue despite escalating Greek-Turkish crisis
Tensions have escalated between Turkey and two EU member states – Greece and Cyprus. But that hasn't stopped another EU country, Germany, to continue exporting arms to Ankara, according to official government data.
EU postpones announcement on Turkey sanctions to ‘de-escalate’ tensions
The EU accepted on Monday (15 July) to postpone few hours the announcement of the sanctions against Turkey over the drilling in waters off Cyprus, following a request by Ankara not to interfere with the third anniversary the failed coup, EU officials and diplomats told euractiv.com.
Turkish Cypriot leader proposes joint energy committee
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı on Saturday (13 July) proposed creating a joint committee across the divided Mediterranean island, to address tensions over offshore energy reserves.
Turkish report ramps up harassment of foreign media
More than 20 human rights and freedom of expression organisations, as well as Turkish opposition, have condemned a report by a Turkish pro-government think tank, which is “blacklisting” journalists working for foreign media.
Erdogan visits Bosnia as part of bigger game
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) this week. The primary aim was to attend a summit, but analysts said it was also an effort to boost his hunt for members of the Gülen movement and reinforce his influence on Bosnian domestic politics.
PACE’s Russian restoration will set a dangerous new precedent in Europe
Despite its continued meddling in European affairs, Russia has been reinstated in the Council of Europe, with full voting powers. The decision will only encourage Moscow to continue its erratic behaviour on the European continent while others, like Turkey, may follow its example, writes Mark Temnycky.
Cyprus flags new migratory route facilitated by Turkey
Cyprus is seeing a major increase in the number of migrants from third countries arriving from Turkey, with the tacit approval of Ankara, Cypriot interior minister, Constantinos Petrides, told a group of Brussels journalists on Thursday (27 June).
Erdogan suffers biggest defeat since AKP foundation
Turkey’s opposition has dealt President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a stinging blow by winning control of Istanbul in a re-run mayoral election, breaking his aura of invincibility and delivering a message from voters unhappy over his policies. Ekrem Imamoğlu of the...
EU ‘in full solidarity’ with Cyprus over Turkey drilling
The EU in the night to Friday (20 June) stepped up its rhetoric over Turkey's "illegal" drilling for oil and gas off Cyprus, raising the threat of sanctions if Ankara refuses to back down.
An innovative partnership in the assistance programme for Syrian refugees in Turkey
Alper Küçük and Nils Grede provide insight into the use of the EU’s Facility for Refugees in Turkey, which enables much-needed cash transfers to one and a half million vulnerable refugees living in host communities in Turkey.
First TV debate in nearly two decades ahead of Istanbul election re-run
The two candidates for the re-run of the mayoral election in Istanbul met in the first live television debate in 17 years on Sunday (16 June). The re-run will be held on 23 June. The event was broadcast on all...
EU warns Turkey over ‘illegal’ drilling off Cyprus
The European Union on Tuesday (18 June) hit out at Turkey for its "illegal drilling activities" off Cyprus and warned of possible retaliation over the controversial gas exploration bid.
Erdogan says drilling off Cyprus to continue despite warning
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday (16 June) said Turkey would not back down from gas exploration in Cyprus after southern European leaders urged Ankara to stop.
Turkey’s stalled membership will define the future and meaning of the European Union
The EU cultivates the impression that it is desperately cheerleading Ankara’s accession, only to be disappointed. In fact, letting Turkey join would entail a decision over the future of the European Union which no one, for now, seems ready to make, writes Faisal Al Yafai.
Is Turkey the Western anchor of the New Silk Road?
Despite sharing growing strategic interests with Russia and China, Ankara remains economically much more closely integrated with the West, if not even dependent, writes Nicola P. Contessi.
US will not accept more Turkish F-35 pilots over Russia air defenses
The United States has decided to stop accepting any additional Turkish pilots who planned to come to the United States to train on F-35 fighter jets, US officials say, in a clear sign of the escalating dispute over Ankara’s plans to purchase Russian air defenses.