Latest News from Turkey
Migrant network tied to Hamas uncovered on Kos
It was early in the afternoon of December 1, 2023, when a black inflatable speedboat from Turkey, carrying migrants, ran aground just a few meters outside the marina on the island of Kos in the eastern Aegean. The subsequent investigation into identifying the smugglers unfolded with all the intrigue of a spy-police thriller.
Health workers on trial in Turkey accused of private care scheme linked to 10 infant deaths
Doctors, nurses and an ambulance driver are among 47 people on trial accused of causing the deaths of 10 infants as part of an alleged scheme to defraud Turkey's social security system.
New Democracy rift and SYRIZA polls in the spotlight
The expulsion of former prime minister Antonis Samaras from the ruling New Democracy party, and its potential impact on the government, is the main issue dominating the political agenda this week.
Turkey insists on island demilitarization
Only days after meeting with his Greek counterpart in Athens, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has reiterated his view that his country's dispute with Greece does not only concern maritime boundaries - specifically the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) - but also broader issues, including the "demilitarization" of Greek islands.
Britain Looks to Countries like Vietnam and Turkey for Migrant Solutions
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed support for plans to negotiate with countries such as Vietnam, Turkey, and Iraq to help manage the flow of illegal migrants into the UK. Although Starmer refrained from providing specifics, he acknowledged the possibility of such talks, emphasizing that international cooperation is essential in addressing the issue of illegal migration.
Turkey blocked Israeli president’s flight to COP29 amid tensions
Turkey reportedly denied permission for Israeli President Isaac Herzog's plane to fly through its airspace en route to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, for the COP29 climate summit. Herzog did not attend the event.
The decision came amid heightened tensions over Israel's military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Turkey arrests journalist over social media post on prosecutors
An Istanbul court late on Saturday formally arrested a Turkish journalist over his social media posts on prosecutors investigating a mayor from Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), his lawyer said.
Fidan urges action on arms ban against Israel
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday called on the Muslim world to apply pressure for an arms embargo against Israel, reminding that Türkiye has garnered support from 52 countries in this regard.
Former Thessaloniki mayor Yiannis Boutaris dies at 82 – “I lived It fully…goodbye!”
On Saturday, November 9, Yiannis Boutaris passed away.
The businessman, oenologist, and former mayor of Thessaloniki, Yiannis Boutaris, took his last breath tonight at a private clinic in the city, where he had been hospitalized for serious health problems recently.
Channels of communication
There has been no tangible progress in bridging our differences with Turkey, nor does achieving it look easy. However, the establishment of channels of communication that appear to be assuming the form of some kind of permanent mechanism for ensuring calm waters between the two sides is a kind of progress.
Erdogan to visit Saudi Arabia next week, minister says
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Saturday in an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk.
Erdogan will attend a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) in Riyadh to discuss Israel's offensives in the Palestinian territories, the minister added. [Reuters]
Differences persist in Athens, Ankara talks
In a meeting held in Athens on Friday, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan engaged in candid talks about their countries' enduring disputes in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Mitsotakis from Budapest: There is a “good climate” with Turkey, but not a common framework for continental shelf and EEZ
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about the issues discussed during the Informal Summit in Budapest.
The Prime Minister focused on the issues of competitiveness and energy, which are of concern to the European Union, and he paid particular attention to electricity prices, while he also spoke about Europe’s need for strategic autonomy.
PM: Normality in Greek-Turkish ties the goal
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared that "normality must be the goal in relations between neighbors" when asked by reporters on Friday about Greek-Turkish relations and his meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Budapest a day earlier.
Erdogan’s ‘friend’ Trump played role in strained Turkey-US ties
President Tayyip Erdogan called Donald Trump a "friend" in welcoming his return to the White House, and invited him for a visit despite longstanding strains in Turkish-US ties including some rooted in Trump's first term as president.
Here are some of the rifts between Washington and Ankara:
Defense, sanctions, NATO