Latest News from Turkey
Turkey secures a foothold in the Caucasus
The escalation of the coronavirus crisis - the death toll from which continues to climb and which is threatening to send the public health systems in Greece and other parts of Europe into gridlock - in combination with the artificial political confrontation provoked by the tactical maneuvers of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), SYRIZA and Mera25 opposition parties in the name of the anniversary
Erdogan hints Greece, Cyprus behind interception of Turkish vessel
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Wednesday suggested Greece and Cyprus were behind the interception of a Turkish vessel by German soldiers on behalf of a European Union mission off the Libyan coast late Sunday.
Turkey to launch local COVID-19 vaccine by April: Erdoğan
The economic and judicial reforms to improve the investment climate in Turkey will be led by the People's Alliance, composed of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, informing that necessary legislation would soon be brought to the agenda in the parliament.
Turkey develops 1st local vaccine at int'l standards
Turkey on Nov. 25 announced that it had completed all production processes for an adult-type tetanus-diphtheria vaccine, developed with domestic resources.
"Turkey's first vaccine at international standards is ready to use," Fahrettin Koca announced in a written statement.
Sen. Van Hollen: Expect stricter attitude toward Ankara
US Senator Chris Van Hollen has told Kathimerini that a Biden-led administration will help restore damaged transatlantic ties, adding that Athens and Nicosia should expect a stricter attitude toward Ankara.
Here are the full quotes by Van Hollen, who served as a member of the House of Representatives for 14 years before being elected senator in 2016.
Turkey can’t deceive the EU, says Dendias
Athens is urging Ankara to proceed with goodwill moves of substance and not resort to 11th-hour statements with the sole aim of pre-empting any adverse decisions against it during the European Council on December 10-11.
Turkish Treasury borrows $703 mln through auctions
The Turkish Treasury borrowed 5.6 billion Turkish liras ($703 million) from domestic markets on Nov. 24, according to an official statement.
The Treasury and Finance Ministry announced that some 2 billion Turkish liras ($250 million) in floating rate note bonds - new issuance - were sold in the first auction.
Turkey's agricultural exports rise despite pandemic
Turkey's agriculture-based exports have increased by 6.3% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2020, a senior official said on Nov. 24.
"We have seen the advantages of the strong infrastructure we created in agriculture during the pandemic period," said Forestry and Agriculture Minister Bekir Pakdemirli in a written statement.
Over 2 dozen detained in nationwide drug raids
Over two dozen people were detained and large amounts of drugs were seized in nationwide drug raids by Turkish police on Nov. 24, according to official statements.
A total of 13 kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized in the eastern province of Van, said local police.
Turkey calls on Greece for dialogue on East Med
A spokesman for the Turkish foreign ministry criticized Greece's foreign minister on Nov. 24 for adopting an accusing and threatening tone instead of working to solve tensions between Athens and Ankara through dialogue.
"Unfortunately, the constructive attitude and steps taken since August to show good intentions have not been responded," Hami Aksoy said in a statement.
Ankara expects center with Russia to ‘soon’ operate
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his Russian counterpart via telephone on Nov. 24 he expects a joint monitoring center that will be established in Nagorno-Karabakh to 'soon' begin operations.
Turkey to respond to unlawful search of cargo ship: FM
Turkey's top diplomat on Nov. 24 accused a German frigate of violating international law when it stopped and searched a commercial vessel without the consent of its flag-state or its captain.
"It is a violation of international law to embark on trade ships like pirates," Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told reporters in the capital Ankara.
Charges against police who used force on feminist dance ‘Las Tesis’ group dropped
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has dropped charges against police officers who used physical force on a group of women who performed the "Las Tesis" dance last year to draw attention to growing femicide in Turkey.
The prosecutors said "no crime or element of crime" had been found in their decision.
Cats of woman who died in İzmir earthquake adopted by new families
The cats of a woman who died in the 6.6-magntitude earthquake that hit Turkey's Aegean coast on Oct. 30 have been adopted after they underwent treatment.
Süheyla Erdönmez died under the wreckage of the eight-story Rıza Bey Apartment in Bayraklı district, which collapsed to the ground due to weak infrastructure after the earthquake that killed 116 people and wounded 1,034 people.
Cypriots cycle through fenced town for first time after 46 years
The once ghost town of Varosha in Turkish Cyprus has been opened for bicycle tours after it was opened to civilians on Oct. 9 in the wake of a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.