Turkey
Weber: Turkish EU membership ‘makes no sense’
European Peoples’ Party group leader Manfred Weber told EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel that hard-hitting action must be taken against the Turkish government, while reiterating his call for EU membership talks to be scrapped.
Germany says EU aid to Turkey could be halted over arrests
Germany raised the possibility on Wednesday (19 July) of suspending European Union aid payments to Turkey after summoning Ankara's ambassador to Berlin to protest over the arrest of six human rights activists including a German citizen.
Bulgaria warns EU is becoming over-dependent on gas transited via Turkey
The European Commission is expected to approve the second thread of the Turkish Stream pipeline stretching to Bulgaria's Black Sea shore, according to Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borrisov who warned that the EU is becoming over-dependent on gas transited via Turkey.
Erdogan hits out at EU, promises to ‘rip heads’
A defiant President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday (16 July) stepped up his attack on the European Union, saying Turkey had to go its own way and vowing to bring back the death penalty if parliament passes it.
Greek FM: EU should be louder against Turkish ‘intervention rights’ in member states
EXCLUSIVE / In a wide-ranging interview, Greece's foreign minister on Sunday (16 July) outlined his country's position on the failed Cyprus reunification talks, scolding UN envoy Espen Barth Eide and rejecting "interventions rights" for Turkey in any future settlement. He also warned against expecting any breakthrough with FYROM.
Turkish-EU relations need common sense
We are living in a world of vast differences and constant changes, yet there is often opportunity to be considered in our approaches in order to tackle the negatives and highlight the positives, writes Egemen Bagis.
Greece-Turkey tensions mount over plan to start Cyprus gas drilling
As Cyprus prepares to start offshore drilling for gas in its economic zone, Turkey announced it was readying "countermeasures" and Greece replied it was "ready to defend its sovereign rights", in a clear sign of growing tensions between the two NATO members.
Turkey’s energy minister ‘to visit Israel for pipeline deal’
Turkey's Energy Minister Berat Albayrak is set to visit Israel by the end of this year to conclude an agreement for the building of a natural gas pipeline from the Jewish state to Turkey, the Israeli energy minister said on yesterday (12 July).
Nord Stream 2 doesn’t matter
Nord Stream 2 continues to divide Europe. That's a pity. For all the noise, Nord Stream 2 is just a distraction - it doesn't really matter. Here's why, writes Nikos Tsafos.
Austria bars Turkish economy minister for event marking coup anniversary
Austria has barred Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci from entering the country to attend an event marking the anniversary of last year's failed coup in Turkey, a spokesman for Austria's foreign ministry said today (10 July).
Turkey detains 10 at human rights meeting, EU, US concerned
Turkish police have detained 10 people, including the local director of Amnesty International and other rights activists, on suspicion of membership in a terrorist organisation, Amnesty said yesterday (6 July) in what it called a "grotesque abuse of power".
Heated G20 hopes to bring new life to global cooperation
The world's twenty most powerful countries will try to build a new consensus on global issues such as trade and the fight against climate change amid growing tensions among the largest partners.
Cyprus reunification talks collapse, UN chief ‘very sorry’
Talks to reunify the divided island of Cyprus collapsed in the early hours of Friday (7 July), UN Secretary General António Guterres said after a stormy final session.
MEPs call for freeze in Turkey accession talks
EU lawmakers called for a suspension of Turkey's membership talks with the European Union yesterday (5 July), saying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's crackdown on opponents meant Ankara did not meet the bloc's democratic criteria.
Turkey rapporteur: ‘We are sending a very bad signal to the Balkans’
Turkey has lost interest in accession. Yet the EU continues to believe that it can use the process as leverage, Kati Piri told EURACTIV Slovakia.
Turkey’s opposition leader launches ECHR appeal as he marches to Istanbul
Turkey's main opposition leader launched a European court appeal today (4 July) over an April vote that granted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sweeping powers, stepping up his challenge to the government as he leads a 425 kilometre (265 mile) protest march.
Germany brands Arab states’ Qatar demands ‘very provocative’
A list of 13 demands submitted by four Arab states to Qatar as a condition to lift their boycott on the Gulf country is "very provocative" because some items challenge Doha's sovereignty, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Monday (26 June).
Cyprus leaders under pressure to strike peace deal
Rival Cypriot leaders at a make-or-break summit in Switzerland this week will come under pressure to finally seal an elusive peace deal for their divided island or face the consequences.
German parliament backs plans to withdraw troops from Turkey
Germany's parliament yesterday (21 June) approved the planned withdrawal of troops from the Incirlik air base in southern Turkey after Ankara's refusal to allow German lawmakers access to its soldiers there.
World Refugee Day inspires calls to EU leaders ahead of summit
The UN's World Refugee Day is held every year on 20 June. This year, politicians and NGOs issued messages to EU leaders ahead of a summit on 22-23 June, which will partly focus on measures to stem the migration flow on the Central Mediterranean route.
EU tight-lipped on Kurdish referendum
Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region last week announced it would hold a referendum on independence, in a move the government in Baghdad will strongly oppose. EU ministers on Monday (19 June) are expected to express support for the territorial integrity of Iraq.
Talking truth to Turkey
Ludwig Schulz looks at how scientific analysis can help counter President Erdoğan’s fake narrative of Turkey’s thriving democracy and why the European Union should reconsider its policy towards EU accession countries.
EU reassures Turkey over its €3bn refugee package
The EU's €3billion package to help refugees in Turkey will have been fully assigned to projects by the end of the year, the bloc's envoy said Tuesday (6 June).
Germany says has no choice but to pull forces from Turkish air base
Germany will have to pull its forces out of the Incirlik air force base in southern Turkey because of Turkish government restrictions on German lawmakers seeking to visit troops there, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said yesterday (5 June).