Ankara

Türkiye will seek to lure more tourists from the U.S., South America, Far East, Asia and Gulf nations while continuing to focus on existing strategic markets, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has said.

Turkey's National Security Council on Thursday supported maintaining the positive climate in bilateral ties with Greece that emerged in the wake of the massive earthquake on February 6, adding that it would benefit both sides.

In a statement after convening in Ankara, the Council added that ongoing developments in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean are being followed closely.

Turkish actor and dubbing artist İsmail Köksal Engür died on March 27 at the age of 77 due to complications caused by renal failure.

Engür's funeral ceremony was held yesterday, and he was buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery in Istanbul.

Engür is best remembered for his role as "Ak Sakallı Dede" (White-Bearded Dede) in one of the most popular Turkish TV series "Leyla ile Mecnun."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned France's ambassador to Türkiye Herve Magro on March 27 and "strongly condemned" the French Senate for hosting the YPG and its female affiliate YPJ, diplomatic sources have said.

Ankara "does not accept" the hosting and awarding of the members of the YPG and YPJ with "medals of honor" by the French Senate, the Turkish officials told the envoy.

Turkish and Greek relations have recently experienced a "positive turn" following the deadly Feb. 6 earthquakes and fatal train crash, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias has stated.

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, the government in Ankara seems to have shelved its claims against Greece and is keeping a low profile regarding Greek-Turkish relations, which are, at least for now, not high on the election agenda in the neighboring country. 

Disputes with Greece can be peacefully resolved through dialogue, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, while expressing his optimism over the sale of US F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. 

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Norway's Ambassador in Ankara Erling Skjonsberg on Feb. 2 and asked the Norwegian authorities to prevent a planned "attack" on the Quran.

The envoy was summoned after Ankara learned of a planned attack against the Quran on Feb. 3, the Foreign Ministry sources said.

Within the scope of Türkiye's first mass housing project, a comprehensive restoration work is being carried out in the Saraçoğlu neighborhood with the "Revitalization of Saraçoğlu Neighborhood Project," which is carried out with a completely nature and environment-centered approach.

Three more suspects have been detained in the investigation launched into the assassination of the former head of the ultra-nationalist group, Grey Wolves, bringing the total number to 18.