Latest News from Turkey
Erdogan sees upcoming meeting with Mitsotakis as ‘important stage’
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he views his upcoming meeting on May 13 with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis "an important stage" in exploring how the relationship between Greece and Turkey can be improved.
Rapprochement with Turkey has reduced illegal migration flows, Mitsotakis says
The policy of rapprochement with Turkey had helped decrease illegal migration flows, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said from Lesvos.
Western states sought to send de-escalation messages to Iran via Turkey, diplomat says
Western states have sought to send Iran messages via Turkey in recent days to reiterate appeals for de-escalation, a Western diplomat said on Friday.
The messages were conveyed before reported Israeli attacks on Iran early on Friday, after which Tehran indicated it had no plans for further retaliation.
Turkey calls for restraint to avoid wider Middle East conflict
Turkey on Friday called on all sides to refrain from steps that could lead to a wider conflict in the Middle East, after Israel reportedly attacked Iran in a tit-for-tat retaliation for Iran's strike.
Turkey says it aims to drill for oil off Somali coast next year
Turkey hopes to conduct a deep-sea oil drilling operation off the Somali coast in 2025, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Friday in an interview on broadcaster NTV.
Turkey and Somalia signed an offshore oil and natural gas cooperation deal last month, further strengthening ties after agreeing a defence deal this year. [Reuters]
Greek PM meets Turkish tourists amid arrivals surge on Lesvos
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, currently on a campaign tour of Lesvos, met with Turkish tourists on the eastern Aegean island, which has seen a surge in visitors from the neighboring country following the implementation of the "visa-express" program.
Olympiakos reaches its first European semifinal, as PAOK crashes out
Olympiakos is in the semifinals of the Europa Conference League, and will face Aston Villa for a spot in the final to take place in Athens, after eliminating Fenerbahce in the penalty shootout on Thursday, while PAOK lost to Club Bruges for a second time.
5.6 magnitude quake hits central Turkey
A moderately strong earthquake has struck central Turkey, the country's disaster management agency said, causing damage to some buildings. There were no immediate reports of any deaths or serious injuries.
Greek military officials visit Turkish counterparts
As part of the confidence-building measures agreed between Turkey and Greece, Greek military officials have visited a Turkish brigade.
Colonel Vardis Harkianakis, commander of Greece's 3rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Colonel Georgios Bellos, a defense attache, and Lieutenant Colonel Georgios Alexopoulos visited Turkey's 54th Mechanized Infantry Brigade command on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Glavchev: Bulgaria Stands Firm with Ukraine
In a recent meeting of the European Council, Acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev underscored Bulgaria's unwavering support for Ukraine amidst discussions surrounding the fight against disinformation and foreign manipulation of information.
Shocker: Bulgaria Drops from UK Tourists' Cheapest Summer Spots List
In an unexpected turn, Bulgaria and Turkey have been notably absent from the list of the ten cheapest European summer destinations for British tourists, revealed by consumer group "Which?". The ranking, which is typically dominated by traditionally affordable locations, has this year favored surprising choices like the Italian coast of Amalfi and various Greek islands.
Ankara slams EU for linking ties with Türkiye to Cyprus issue
Ankara has criticized the European Union for linking Türkiye-EU ties to the Cyprus question, describing the move as another example of Brussels' lack of strategic vision on Türkiye and global developments.
New Turkish provocation: “Declaration of maritime parks by Greece is a unilateral action”
Turkey speaks of “unilateral actions” that create de facto situations on islands in the Aegean where -according to them- their “sovereignty has not been determined”
Turkish Defense Ministry ‘vigilant’ over Greek marine park announcement
Turkey's Defense Ministry said it "remained vigilant" regarding Greece's decision to declare two new Marine Parks, one in the Aegean Sea and the other in the Ionian Sea, saying it will not accept "unilateral conditions" in the islands of the Aegean.
Athens seeks air defense system like Iron Dome
The reference on Wednesday by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias to the need for a protective anti-aircraft system brought back to the fore a debate which has being continuing at the level of the country's military leadership over the last few years - long before the demonstration of Israel's capabilities against enemy missiles and rockets.