Latest News from Turkey
Turkish President insists on public rallies despite opposition's criticisms
President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has vowed to continue to hold public rallies and to urge voters to vote for the sake of Turkey?s future, despite strong criticism from the opposition, calling on all political party leaders to not be disturbed by his political rhetoric.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia have long been cooperating on Syria: Turkish MFA spokesperson
Turkey and Saudi Arabia have long been in cooperation on the issue of Syrian crisis, but there are no new elements regarding that effort, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Tanju Bilgiç said May 8, elaborating on recent media reports claiming a new deal between the two countries.
Turkish Airlines to fly to two new destinations in eastern Turkey
Turkish Airlines is set to commence flights to the country's first artificial island airport in the Black Sea region, along with the much-anticipated new airport in southeastern Turkey, thus increasing its total nationwide destinations to 46.
Israeli group plans to sell stakes in Turkish bank
Israel's Hapoalim Investment has plans to sell a majority stake in Turkish BankPozitif, amid political coolness between Israel and Turkey, according to sources.
BankPozitif Chairman Hasan Akçayal?o?lu confirmed various talks for a possible sale are the case, but there has not been any official decision yet.
Turkish Akba? dogs' popularity on the rise
The popularity of the Turkish native shepherd dog breed called ?Akba?? has increased, said president of the Akba? Shepherd Dog Conservation and Research Association (AKAD) Erhan Ulutürk, adding that the waiting list for buying an Akba? was at least five months.
Former President Gül's visit to Yerevan in 2008 was wrong, Erdo?an says
President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has reportedly disapproved of his predecessor?s visit to Armenia in 2008 as part of reconciliation efforts between the two countries, despite supporting the initiative at that time.
Russia Ready to Finance Greek Firms Taking Part in Turkish Stream Project
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow may consider extending funding to Greek companies which join the Russian pipeline project to deliver gas to Turkey and onward to Europe, RIA Novosti reported.
IntMin Oprea: Romania and Turkey - NATO geostrategic pillars
Romania and Turkey are two of NATO's geostrategic pillars, Deputy Premier and Minister of the Interior Gabriel Oprea said on Friday after a meeting in Bucharest with Turkish Minister of the Interior Sebahattin Ozturk.
Photo credit: (c) Ilie BUMBAC / AGERPRES PHOTO
Azeri gas to reach Europe by 2020: Minister
Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Natiq Aliyev has said Azeri gas will reach Europe by 2020.
Speaking at a panel discussion at the Energy Security Conference in Berlin on May 7, Aliyev said a quarter of the construction on the Southern Gas Corridor had been completed.
Ministers disagree over Turkey's skyrocketing potato prices
Ministers disagree over what to do to decrease Turkey?s skyrocketing potato prices, with Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci signaling a possible license for potato imports and Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker saying such moves will harm local producers.
Turkish industrial output up in March
Industrial production in Turkey increased 4.7 percent in March, compared with the same month last year, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜ?K) said in a statement on May 8.
Total output increased 2.2 percent from the previous month, the statement said. The new figure was the strongest industrial output figure since October of last year.
Turks in Australia cast votes for June's general election
Turkish citizens living in Australia went to polling stations on May 8 to become the first to cast their ballots in Turkey?s June 7 general election.
Turkey to be caught in the chronic disease storm in 20 years, says geneticist
Turkey will be caught in a "chronic disease storm" over the next 20 years, Professor Gökhan Hotam??l?gil, a world renowned geneticist, has warned.
Professor Hotam??l?gil said one third of the Turkish population is overweight, one third is clinically overweight and three percent is morbidly obese, adding problems to the country's future.
Top US commander for NATO due to visit Turkey's K?r?ehir for train-equip program
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and Commander of U.S. European Command Gen. Phil Breedlove will on May 12 visit the Central Anatolian province of K?r?ehir, where Turkey and the U.S. are due to start a train-equip program for the moderate Syrian opposition.
Breedlove will also attend a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya on May 13-14.
US: Safe zones in Syria linked to Turkey's steps
The U.S. military?s top-ranking officer says contingency plans have been drawn up for a safe zone in consultation with Turkey, while a senior Pentagon official has told Hürriyet that this is conditional on Turkey?s steps on plans to train Syrian rebels, which remains a source of tension between the two countries.