Government of Turkey

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Dec. 9 that any sanctions imposed by the European Union on Turkey will not have a great impact, adding that the bloc had never acted honestly or kept its promises.

France's foreign minister told his Turkish counterpart on Tuesday that a renewed constructive relationship with the European Union could only happen if Ankara clarified its position on several subjects.

Turkey is expecting the European Union to act strategically based on the facts as Greece continues provocations, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Dec. 8, ahead of a summit that will take place on Dec. 10 regarding the decision over imposing sanctions on Turkey.

After expressing good intentions and a willingness for talks last week, Ankara has sharpened its rhetoric over the past three days against Athens, Nicosia and Brussels, ahead of a European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday where the possibility of sanctions against Turkey will be discussed.

Turkey offers significant opportunities for investors looking for a new and safe haven, and the country launched a mobilization in the economy and justice fields to become an attraction center for investments, the country's treasury and finance minister has said.

Turkey's vice president on Dec. 7 said the country would take measures to strengthen its judicial system.

"In the coming months, we'll take some new steps towards strengthening the rule of law, and a predictable, easily accessible, fast and efficient judicial system," Fuat Oktay told the lawmakers in a speech on the 2021 budget.

Amid new restrictions to fight the second wave of COVID-19, Turkey's main opposition leader on Dec. 7 criticized the government's handling of the outbreak.

Turkey is focused on macroeconomic stability with transparent policies as well as fast and comprehensive reforms in the economy and law fields, as part of confidence-building measures, the country's industry and technology minister said on Dec. 7.

Turkey urges a fair sharing of the resources in the Eastern Mediterranean while establishing welfare, peace and stability in the region, said the nation's foreign minister on Dec. 7. 

The Turkish Parliament has begun discussions on the government's 2021 budget, which focuses on tackling the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy as its priority.