Ömer Çelik

Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu will meet for coalition negotiations on Aug. 10, Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik has said.

Talks between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) on a possible grand coalition have ended, with the parties far apart on five key issues, particularly Syria and Turkey's foreign policy.

The pair, however, was also divided on education, social policies, presidential powers and the Kurdish question. 

As exploratory talks between the ruling and main opposition parties have been concluded after 30-hours of talks, it?s time for the two leaders to decide on whether to launch negotiations to make a coalition government. 

Coalition talks between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) will enter a new phase following a last meeting by respective delegations on Aug. 3, with the two parties' leaders to decide in an encounter likely to take place later this week. 

Although the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is continuing talks with the social democrat Republican People's Party (CHP) for a coalition government, AKP leader Ahmet Davuto?lu revealed that they were also in close contact with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). 

Coalition talks in Turkey have entered a new phase, as delegations from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) held "exploratory talks" on July 24 aimed at forming a coalition government.

(CHP) held "exploratory talks" on July 24 aimed at forming a coalition government.

Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy chair Haluk Koç gathered on July 21 as part of "exploratory" talks between the two parties aimed at forming a coalition government. 

President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, on the evening of the day when he assigned Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu to form the new government, addressed Turkey?s political parties, telling them ?not to try the nation?s patience.? 

The first round of coalition talks has clearly shown the Republican People's Party (CHP) was eager to join the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in a coalition government, while the two other opposition parties, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), have voiced their reluctance. 

The ancient city of Ephesus in western Turkey has been added to UNESCO?s World Heritage List following a vote in Bonn on July 5.

The move came just a day after Diyarbakir?s wall and its nearby Hevsel Gardens were added to the list as well.