Latest News from Turkey

Bulgaria’s Deputy PM Demands Unambiguous EU Stance on South Stream

Tomislav Donchev, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of EU Funds and Economic Policy, has informed that European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič has been tasked with elucidating Russia's unofficial stance on the South Stream project.

Turkish defense minister denies 'nepotism' allegations

Turkish Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz has denied recent claims that his relative had been recruited by the Telecommunications Directorate (TİB) without completing an exam.

Turkey and Russia meet again to negotiate gas discount

Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said Turkish negotiators would meet with representatives from Russia's Gazprom to discuss a gas discount for 2015 again Dec. 10.

"We are continuing to work to negotiate a bigger reduction in gas prices. Our target is to clarify the final price by the end of this month," Yıldız said at the signature ceremony for the Istanbul 2016 World Energy Congress.

Turkish opposition stands firm in Ottoman language row

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has questioned both President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's motives and authority with regard to his engagement in the possible inclusion of Ottoman language classes in Turkey's high school curriculum.

Vestel asks Turkey for emergency import duties on mobile phones

Turkish electronics and domestic appliances maker Vestel has asked the government to impose emergency import tariffs on mobile phones, according to a filing from Turkey published by the World Trade Organization on late Dec. 8.

EU boosts aid for Syrian refugees in Turkey

The European Union on Tuesday announced 10 million euros ($12.3 million) in new humanitarian aid for Syrian civilians in Turkey and Syria.
      

UN Syria envoy denies Aleppo truce plan would benefit Assad

The U.N. peace envoy to Syria on Dec. 9 rejected suggestions that a proposed truce in the northern city of Aleppo would play into President Bashar al-Assad's hands, saying it was a stepping stone in a political process and vital to allowing in aid.
   

Turkish FM denies rift between policies of Turkey and EU

The EU's foreign policy chief did not raise any criticism or proposals for the alignment of Turkey's foreign policy with the EU, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said, in reply to remarks by Federica Mogherini.

Turkey ‘would not accept’ Greece-Egypt Mediterranean deal

Any delimitation of the Mediterranean between Egypt and Greece will not be acceptable if it affects Turkey’s national interests, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said.

Davutoğlu’s remarks were published on Dec. 7 in the Greek newspaper To Vima, in an interview given at the end of the third High-Level Cooperation Council meeting between Greece and Turkey in Athens on Dec. 6.

Fitch slightly upgrades Turkey’s growth forecast

Fitch has upgraded Turkey’s growth forecast for this year due to a better-than-expected economic performance, according to a senior director at the ratings agency.

Turkey sentenced for inadequate inspection into death of teen, elderly man

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ordered Turkey to pay 30,000 euros for the inadequacy of a criminal investigation carried out by domestic authorities into two missing persons, who were found dead years later, allegedly after being murdered by soldiers.

Turkey lifts visas for Polish nationals

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has announced that the government has decided to lift visa requirements for Polish citizens, to "boost interaction" between the two countries.

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