Latest News from Turkey
Charter amendment draft submitted to Turkey's parliament
A constitutional amendment package introducing a shift to a presidential system was submitted to Turkey's parliament on Dec. 10 after the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) struck an agreement with the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on the draft amendments.
PM Yıldırım calls for support of Turkey to fight terrorism
Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said support to Turkey in its fight against terrorist organizations would contribute to the global fight against terror.
Turkish karate group seeks asylum in Germany
Eleven Turkish nationals in a martial arts group have applied for asylum in Germany after police determined they had not come to take part in a karate tournament as they said, a police spokesman said on Dec. 10.
Mouzalas requests mainland pre-removal centers
Responding to rising tensions on eastern Aegean islands due to the growing population of migrants and asylum seekers, Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas has made a request to European authorities that individuals from countries with low asylum recognition rates be temporarily transferred to pre-removal centers on mainland Greece.
Body of another miner recovered in Siirt mine disaster
The body of another miner was recovered on Dec. 10 after a mine collapse in the Şirvan district of Turkey's southeastern province of Siirt on Nov. 17, Doğan News Agency has reported.
Turkish Defense Ministry slams Greek minister's remarks
The Defense Ministry condemned on Dec. 9 Greek defense minister Panos Kammenos' recent remarks on Turkey, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.
Turkish court drops flotilla raid case against Israel
A court in Istanbul on Dec.
Gas Flow via Bulgaria-Romania Link Hindered Until 2019
The flow of gas through the interconnector between Romania and Bulgaria will not be fully enabled for the next two years, outgoing Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said on Friday.
The lack of a compressor station on the Romanian side of the Danube (which serves as a natural border between the countries) impede the daily flow from Romania into Bulgaria, Petkova told lawmakers.
Who's been ruling Turkey for 14 years?
According to those who are ruling our country, we are experiencing an international attack. It is said that they have trained their "economy weapons" on us and are firing. First, they hit exports and tourism. Now, through foreign currency speculation, they are trying to destroy our economy.
At the gates of Europe
Last I checked, on Dec. 8, it had dwindled down to 0. Just 14 months ago, on Oct. 20, 2015, it was more than 10,000, mind you. Prefer long-term averages? The daily average was around 5,000 for November 2015 and 66 for November 2016.
Turkey on eve of crucial decision on EU
In a statement on Dec. 7, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan underlined that Turkey was on the eve of "very crucial" decisions on the European Union, in reference to ongoing negotiations on granting visa liberalization to Turkish citizens.
Liberal dreams versus the human reality
Since my late 20s I have defined myself, politically speaking, as a classical liberal. This meant that I believe in human rights and freedoms as the cornerstone of human society and any legitimate political authority. I also believed that this liberal vision, if explained well, would appeal to most people unless they are wild-eyed fanatics or ruthless autocrats.
Greeks swept their opponents in Europe
Greek teams scored five wins in five games in Europe this week, sweeping all their opponents in the Euroleague and the Champions League, as Olympiakos beat UNICS Kazan and Panathinaikos dismissed Galatasaray on Friday to improve their position on the Euroleague table.
CHP leader slams AKP-MHP coalition over charter bill
A state in which power is concentrated in one hand is not just, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said, criticizing an agreement between the ruling party Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on a constitutional amendment that will impose a presidential system.
UN envoy says Turkish President Erdoğan ready to deal on Cyprus
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is ready to "play ball" on reaching a deal to reunify divided Cyprus because it would help resolve overarching regional issues including mending Turkey's relations with the European Union, a United Nations envoy said Dec. 8.