G20 nations

Perceptions of the EU as North Macedonia's biggest ally fell sharply from 43.2 per cent in 2019 to 13.1 per cent in 2021, the compared results of two surveys published by the Skopje-based think tank, Institute for Democracy - Societas Civilis, show.

The European Commission's executive vice president for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, is expected to pay a visit to Turkey this spring to discuss some key issues regarding the country's green transformation.

The Green Deal, a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission to make Europe climate neutral by 2050, can create cooperation between the EU and Turkey to work towards same objectives, according to an official.

Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, head of the EU Delegation to Turkey, said Ankara has taken a major step by ratifying the Paris Agreement.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry slammed a report released on Oct. 19 by the European Commission on Turkey's membership process, saying it once again reflected the double standard approach towards the country.

The COVID-19 vaccination rate has reached 75 percent of the population over the age of 18 in nearly 30 out of all 81 provinces in Turkey, increasing the number of low-risk provinces.

According to a risk map uploaded by the country's health minister on Twitter, 28 provinces were blue, indicating that they are at low risk in terms of the pandemic.

In January-May 2021, Bulgarian export to the EU increased by 23/4 per cent from this time last year, reaching a total of 17,616.9 million leva, according to snap statistics by the National Statistical Institute released Thursday. In May alone, the export to the EU increased by over a third, 31.4 per cent, from this time last year, to a total of 3,363.2 million leva.

Bulgaria had the highest excess mortality in the European Union in April 2021, at 76 per cent compared with an EU average of 20.9 per cent, according to figures released on June 16 by the bloc's statistics agency Eurostat.

The EU foreign policy chief on March 30 called for the building of bridges between the bloc and Turkey.

"The EU has a strategic interest in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey," Josep Borrell wrote on his blog dedicated to EU foreign policy.

The offer of closer economic links, mixed with threats, reflects the complex relationship between Turkey, an EU candidate, and the world's largest trading bloc, which have drifted apart but are now seeking improved ties.

Turkey's traditional cologne exports tripled in 2020 thanks to its signature hand disinfectant, a powerful tool used by many to ward off the threat of coronavirus.

Turkey exported 6.9 million tons of cologne last year, up from 2.4 million in 2019, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency from the Istanbul Chemical and Chemical Products Exporters' Association (IKMIB).