All News on Social Issues in Turkey

Bulgaria Refugee Agency Head BlamesTraffickers for Negative NGO Report

Published by Novinite on Sun, 04/27/2014 - 14:32

Nikolay Chirpanliev, Chair of Bulgaria's State Agency for Refugees, has rejected the allegations of international human rights organizations of cases of violence against refugees.

Human Rights Watch has argued in a report that Bulgarian border police pushed back into Turkey asylum seekers. At the same time, the Border Monitoring NGO is also looking into similar cases.

Bulgaria To Spend Another BGN 35 M On Refugees

Published by Novinite on Thu, 04/17/2014 - 13:11

Bulgaria's Government approved the spending of another BGN 35 M on dealing with the refugee crisis, reports Sega daily.

Thus the total sum would reach BGN 62 M. 

The new sum includes the completion of the construction of the 35 km fence at the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, as well as improvements of the living conditions in the refugee centers and their expansion. 

Turkish migrant smuggler shot dead off island of Kos [Update]

Published by Kathimerini on Tue, 04/15/2014 - 20:50


Authorities launched an investigation Tuesday after a suspected migrant smuggler from Turkey was shot dead during an operation by the Greek coast guard off the island of Kos in the southeastern Aegean.

The predawn incident occurred after the 29-year-old victim dropped off seven Syrian migrants on the island, the coast guard said in a statement.

Bulgarians Busted for Heroin Traffic in Greece

Published by Novinite on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 15:37

Six Bulgarian citizens have been arrested in Greece with 50 kg of heroin, part of an alleged drug traffic channel between Turkey and Greece.

The six Bulgarians were taken into custody in the eastern city of Alexandroupoli, near the border with Turkey, the Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Turkey, Europe declare 'end game' for tobacco users

Published by SETimes on Fri, 04/04/2014 - 00:00

Turkey, Europe declare 'end game' for tobacco users

European Union and Turkish tobacco experts set the rules aimed at ending the use of tobacco in Europe.

Coffee shop owners stage a 2009 protest against the government's ban of indoor smoking. Experts say the adoption of European directives will help reduce smoking and its related health risks. [AFP]

Growing Numbers of Bulgarian Pensioners Visit Greece

Published by Novinite on Thu, 03/27/2014 - 14:20

Bulgarian pensioners become more frequent visitors to Greek islands for Easter. 

A survey of Bulgaria's Darik national radio among tourist agencies found that this spring Greece and Turkey are more preferred by Bulgarians above middle age. 

61 Illegal Immigrants Apprehended At Bulgaria's “Green” Border

Published by Novinite on Thu, 03/27/2014 - 12:41

Sixty-one illegal immigrants were apprehended at Bulgaria's “green” border with Turkey in the last 24 hours, Interior Ministry said. 

They are taken to the primary holding centers and are receiving medical attention. Later they will be processed in accordance with the legal requirements. 

Seven Dead After Gunman Storms Turkey's Statistics Office

Published by Novinite on Wed, 03/19/2014 - 10:49

A gunman killed 6 people and committed suicide after storming a statistics office in Turkey's city of Kars.

Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reports that several others were injured.

Two children among seven dead in Lesvos sea tragedy

Published by Kathimerini on Tue, 03/18/2014 - 14:30


Two children, a girl and a boy, and three women were among seven migrants who drowned off the coast of the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos in the early hours of Tuesday when the plastic boat that was carrying them from Turkey to Greece took on water, the state-run Athens-Macedonia News Agency has confirmed.

Seven migrants killed in boat sinking

Published by Kathimerini on Tue, 03/18/2014 - 08:23


Authorities in Greece said Tuesday they had recovered the bodies of seven immigrants who drowned overnight when a boat sank in the eastern Aegean Sea after traveling illegally from nearby Turkey.

Belgrade declaration on social entrepreneurship signed

Published by Tanjug on Fri, 03/14/2014 - 19:50

BELGRADE - The representatives of non-governmental organizations from the region of the Western Balkans and Turkey signed on Friday the Belgrade Declaration on Development of Social Entrepreneurship, with an aim to draw attention of the decision-makers in the EU and other countries to the steps that need to be taken for further development of social economy.

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