İbrahim Kalın

Turkey's presidential spokesman urged the U.S. on Feb. 11 to end its support for the PYD/YPG terrorist group. 

"The US should end its support to the PYD/YPG. It should say 'stop' to FETÖ's activities there," said İbrahim Kalın during an interview with TRT Haber, Turkey's state-run news channel.

Ankara's ongoing exploratory talks with Athens are an "important step" in improving bilateral relations, Turkey's presidential spokesman said on Jan. 30.

In a talk on Turkish foreign policy, İbrahim Kalın said: "This is an important step in terms of our relations with our neighbor Greece, the European Union and the balance of power in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean."

The first day of exploratory contacts between Greek and Turkish delegations on Monday in Istanbul sent out more of a political message than making concrete progress.

The most important development was the participation of the representative of the Turkish presidency, Ibrahim Kalin, who was not initially expected to attend. 

Diplomatic delegations in Greece and Ankara met for three hours today in Ankara to launch exploratory talks on bilateral issues.

It was the 61st round of such talks, which commenced in 2002, when George Papandreou was foreign minister, and were abruptly terminated in 2016 after an abortive coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016.

Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin will be taking part in exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey that resume Monday at Istanbul's Swissotel, Kathimerini reports.

The involvement of Kalin, a close associate of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is seen as marking the Turkish strongman's indirect presence at the talks.

US Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken gave a first inkling about the stance the Biden administration will take regarding Turkey in the hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His approach was clearly critical; however, the relationship is complex and any conclusions would be premature.

Senior Turkish and U.S. officials discussed bilateral ties and regional issues in a phone call on Jan. 19. 

Turkey's Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalın spoke to outgoing U.S. National Security Adviser Robert C. O'Brien over the phone and discussed Turkey-U.S. relations and regional issues, according to a statement.

Prosecutors in Istanbul have launched a probe into Professor Ebubekir Sofuoğlu after his remarks labelling the country's universities as "brothels" caused public outrage.

Earlier this week, Sofuoğlu from Sakarya University's History Department, on a TV show criticized Generation Z and dismissed the view that universities contribute to the cities where they are located.

The EU leaders should comprehend the strategic importance of the bloc's relations with Turkey and should not allow any initiative that would hinder ties, Turkey's presidential spokesman said on Dec. 11.

Senior Turkish officials met on Nov. 29 with the spiritual leaders of minority communities and representatives of minority foundations.