Geography of Asia

Turkey on Friday rejected a call by the European Parliament for sanctions against Ankara over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent visit to the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in occupied north Cyprus, calling the demand "disconnected from the realities."

Turkey on Nov. 27 rejected a "non-binding" resolution by the European Parliament against Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the Varosha and Cyprus issues.

"We completely reject the non-binding resolution adopted by the MEPs on our country and the TRNC," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a statement.

Kızılırmak Delta Wetland and Bird Sanctuary was inscribed in the Tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2016. (AA Photo)

Visioncy, which supports the cultural development of Kuala Lumpur through collaborations with international and local entities, has announced that it will launch an inaugural virtual exhibition to showcase the lifetime achievements of Ara Güler during his 60 years of travels, hard work and dedication to photography.

Turkey's tourism sector will likely shrink 70% this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the country's culture and tourism minister said on Nov. 26. 

"It looks like we will end 2020 with slightly over $11 billion in tourism revenues and over 15 million travelers," Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said in an online session of the 10th International Resort Tourism Congress.

The Turkish Central Bank on Nov. 26 increased its lira swap sale limits from 50% to 60%.

The bank raised the swap auctions limit in the Turkish Lira Swap Market for Foreign Exchange, according to information received by Anadolu Agency.

Previously, the bank had increased the limit from 40% to 50% in May.

The limit has been increasing gradually since last April from 20%.

The head of the European People's Party (EPP) called on members of the European Council to take action against Turkey in their next meeting in December.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended travel visas for nationals from 13 countries including some Arab nations, Turkey and Iran.

The decision took effect Nov. 18 and includes those from Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Kenya, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, and Iran, according to a document issued by the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority.

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.

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.