Disaster preparedness

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 struck eastern Turkey on April 3.

The quake occurred in Van province at 8.44 a.m. local time (0544GMT), according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The European Union and the United Kingdom take note of the profound differences in their negotiating positions on the future relations agreement. This was announced today by EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier after the first round of talks that began in Brussels earlier this week.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will pay a working visit to Ankara on March 3, according to Turkey's Foreign Ministry.

In a statement on March 2, the ministry said Raab will hold talks with Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu during the visit.

The duo will discuss bilateral issues following Brexit on Jan. 31.

The UK will not tolerate any European Union compliance requirements, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz during talks in London, a spokesman for the prime minister's office told RIA Novosti.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is preparing to begin trade talks with the United States within the next two weeks, British Telegraph reported.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake rattled Manisa province in western Turkey early on Feb. 24, according to the country's top disaster management body.

The quake occurred at 05:43 local time (0243GMT), said the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). 

It struck at a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).

No casualties were observed according to initial reports.

The European Parliament will give its opinion on the upcoming negotiations on future EU-UK relations. This is indicated by the program of the weekly MEPs session beginning today in Strasbourg.

The European Commission has issued a recommendation to the Council to open negotiations on a new partnership with the United Kingdom.

This recommendation is based on the existing European Council guidelines and conclusions, as well as on the Political Declaration agreed between the EU and the United Kingdom in October 2019.

On 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union. We lost a member of our family. It was a sad moment for us, for European citizens - and, indeed, for many British citizens.
Nevertheless, we have always respected the sovereign decision of 52% of the British electorate, and we now look forward to starting a new chapter in our relations.

Turkey's Trade Ministry on Feb. 1 announced it was seeking new trade channels with the U.K. during the Brexit transition period.

Brexit negotiations between the EU and the U.K. concluded on Nov. 14, 2018, and a deal was reached on the withdrawal of the agreement, which took place on Jan. 31, 2020.