civil society

What has been happening in Ankara since Friday, Nov. 18 is unprecedented in the 14-year rule of the Justice and Development Party (AK Parti).

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, known in Turkey by their acronym ÇED, became part of Turkish legislation in 1983, but it was another 10 years before they entered into force in 1993.

Since then, the regulation has been amended 17 times, most of them in the 2000s, during the Justice and Development Party (AKP) tenure.

Companies in Turkey are concerned about rising tensions between the Turkish government and the European Union, according to Cansen Başaran-Symes, chair of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD). 

Turkey-EU relations are extremely important for businesses, Başaran-Symes said during an interview on private broadcaster CNN Türk on Nov. 18. 

European Union member states on Nov. 17 approved visa-free travel for Ukraine citizens, long sought by Kiev to help cement ties as it combats pro-Russian rebels in the east.

Visa-free travel was part of an EU-Ukraine partnership accord signed in 2014 as the country, a Soviet-era satellite, angered Moscow by casting its lot with the West.

Top European Union lawmakers on Nov. 17 canceled a visit to Turkey after Ankara refused to see an MEP because of her criticism of Ankara's massive crackdown following July's failed coup.

Top EU lawmakers on Nov. 16 cancelled a visit to Turkey after Ankara refused to see one of the MEPs because of her criticism of Ankara's massive detentions following July's failed coup, a parliament source said.

Protesters marched in Kosovo's capital on Monday, invited by civil society activists, journalists, artists and NGOs to demand "Justice for Astrit" .

Civil society activist Besa Luzha said the truth about the death in prison in Prizren nine days ago of Vetevendosje activist Astrit Dehari must be investigated by independent, international investigators.

BELGRADE - A very small number of refugees - 50-60 - have chosen to stay and live in Serbia instead of moving on, and now they should have the opportunity to contribute to Serbian society in a positive way, Hans Friedrich Schodder, the UNHCR chief in Serbia, said Thursday.

PHOTO: TANJUG / NEMANJA JOVANOVIC

BELGRADE - A very small number of refugees - 50-60 - have chosen to stay and live in Serbia instead of moving on, and now they should have the opportunity to contribute to Serbian society in a positive way, Hans Friedrich Schodder, the UNHCR chief in Serbia, said Thursday.

The new exhibition at the Istanbul Research Institute, "The Four-Legged Municipality: Street Dogs of Istanbul," sheds light on the ancient city's street dogs, which have been an integral part of daily life in Istanbul over centuries of political, religious, and sociological upheaval.