Latest News from Turkey
ForMin Aurescu attends meeting of NATO-Ukraine Commission
Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Wednesday attended a meeting in Antalya, Turkey, of the NATO-Ukraine Commission that discussed the latest developments in security in eastern Ukraine, the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the prospects for a long-term resolution of the conflict.
Photo credit: (c) Sorin LUPSA / AGERPRES ARCHIVE
'Oy ve Ötesi' aims for fair election results, and beyond
At a time when the public?s trust in fair elections in Turkey is on the decline, a civil initiative is ready to once again mobilize thousands of volunteers to ensure an accurate counting of the votes cast.
The current state of the judiciary
The anniversary of the Turkish Council of State (Dan??tay) was dodged with a low-profile ceremony this year. The ban on the press was just not appropriate for this high court. I would have personally wanted to listen to Dan??tay head Zerrin Güngör, hearing her voice, observing her actions. That was not possible; I only read her speech.
So who authorized Davuto?lu's Gülen visit?
Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu?s 2013 visit to Pennsylvania to see Fethullah Gülen, the self-exiled Turkish preacher, is turning into an amusing ?whodunit?? mystery. Gülen is being vilified by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) for allegedly inciting the graft probes into government ministers and President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an?s son Bilal.
Unintended consequences of AKP's 13-year rule
The Justice and Development Party?s (AKP) nearly 13 years in government will be put to the test once more through the ballot box next month.
Of course, all the votes that will be cast for the AKP cannot be counted as ?full satisfaction? with the ruling party?s performance. Some vote for it simply because they are not convinced that alterative parties will do any better.
Demirta?, a Kurdish pop-star in Turkish politics
?I don?t think my wife is too pleased with this situation,? said Selahattin Demirta?, the co-chairman of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP), smiling shyly. ?I don?t think I would be pleased if she was in my shoes either.?
Turkey's ruling AKP fields new 'digital army'
Weeks before the general elections, Turkey?s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has changed its much-criticized digital strategy, replacing its infamous ?trolls? with a ?regular army? - at least on paper.
Olive oil standardization could boost exports
By Dimitra Manifava
The Greek economy could enjoy additional revenues of 250 million euros per year from olive oil exports if the commodity were utilized appropriately (i.e. not exported in bulk) and standardized in Greece with its own distinctive identity, according to a report by the National Bank of Greece.
Former PM and PASOK chief condemn ex-minister [Update]
Former Prime Minister Costas Simitis and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos on Wednesday both heaped heavy criticism on former Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, appearing as witnesses at the latter?s appeal trial against his lengthy sentence for money laundering.
Turkish opposition leaders slam government's policies on local and national issues
The two leaders of the opposition parties continued their rallies on May 13, during which they slammed the government?s policies on both local and national issues.
No suspects sentenced in Deniz Feneri embezzlement case
An Istanbul court made a decision May 13 on the German-linked Deniz Feneri (Lighthouse e.V.) charity embezzlement case to either acquit the suspects involved in the case, or drop the case entirely due to a lapse of time.
Propagating in Kurdish not crime, Turkey's top court rules
The Turkish Constitutional Court has decided that the five-year sentence handed down to three local politicians who propagated in Kurdish back in 2009 was unjust, ruling a retrial of the suspects.
Campaigning in Kurdish not crime, Turkey's top court rules
The Turkish Constitutional Court has decided that the five-year sentence handed down to three local politicians who campaigned in Kurdish back in 2009 was unjust, ruling a retrial of the suspects.
Davuto?lu vows to 'erase all trace' of Turkey's coups
Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu has pledged to wipe out all marks of military coups in Turkey.
Davuto?lu?s remarks on May 13 came a day after the funeral of Kenan Evren, the mastermind of the military coup in 1980, who passed away on May 10 at the age of 97 at a hospital in the Turkish capital Ankara.
Erdo?an calls on Europe to welcome more migrants
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has called on Europe to take in more migrants and refugees from Syria and Iraq, saying his own country has borne the brunt of the refugee crisis and has been sheltering about 2 million people.