Latest News from Turkey

Europe's 'fat school bully' problem

In 2004 when the then prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was receiving praise after praise from the West's blind leaders for his "reformism and supreme democratic credentials," he abruptly reverted to his Islamist self: He drafted a bill that would outlaw adultery.

Turkey at the threshold of a regime change

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) and Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), declared in a joint press conference on Dec. 1 that they had agreed on the draft of a constitutional change to shift Turkey's parliamentarian system to an executive presidential one.

Drop in average tourism spending was far greater than in other countries

Had tourists' average per capita expenditure in Greece in July and August been on a par with that at rival destinations, the country's tourism revenues would not have posted a decline, according to a survey presented on Thursday by the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

Tsipras, Merkel discuss Turkey as Cavusoglu comments spur Kammenos tirade

As Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras discussed the refugee crisis and EU-Turkish relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a scheduled phone conversation on Thursday, Ankara ratcheted up the rhetoric, with its Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claiming that the "Imia islets are Turkish land."

Erdogan: Turkey Has Lost Its Patience Regarding EU Accession

The Turkish state has lost its patience and its stimulus for accession to the EU, said Turkish President Erdogan in a statement to regional authorities in Ankara.

Kammenos sends stern message to Ankara from Greek army border outpost

Defense Minister Panos Kammenos on Thursday sought to send a stern message to Turkey and other countries questioning Greece's territorial integrity, declaring during a visit to military outpost near the Albanian border that Greece "will not accept such provocations" and saying he would stay the night at the outpost to underline the "fortified presence" of the Greek military.

Erdoğan, Merkel talks migrants, Syria and Cyprus over phone

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Dec. 1 discussed negotiations between Ankara and Brussels on the migrant crisis, as well as the latest developments in the Cypriot peace process, Turkish presidential sources have stated.

Turkey's AKP, Opposition Reach Agreement on Constitutional Amendments

The ruling Justice and Development Party in Turkey (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party have reached an agreement on amendments to the constitution which envisage a strengthening of the powers of the president.

This was announced by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım after his meeting with the leader of the nationalists Devlet Bahçeli.

Erdoğan to EU: Show us good intentions first

When the European Union keeps its promises on visa liberalization for Turks, humanitarian aid and opening new "chapters" in Ankara's talks to join the bloc, then Turkey will also show good intentions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Dec. 1.

2017 will be better than 2016, Turkish PM tells bosses

Amid deterioration in a number of economic measures and a plunging Turkish Lira, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has told the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) Supreme Advisory Board meeting that the country has "stability and confidence."

Turkish foundation to take over Gülenist schools in Sudan

Two schools in Sudan linked to the network of U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gülen, the main suspect in the probes into the July 15 coup attempt, will be taken over by a Turkish educational foundation in line with a protocol signed earlier between Khartoum and Ankara, a Turkish diplomat told Anadolu Agency on Dec. 1.