Government of Turkey

He also said that Turkey wants negotiations on conflicting claims about the continental belt and the right to potential energy resources, Reuters reported.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on the European Union to "give a chance to diplomacy" on issues relating to the eastern Mediterranean, days ahead of a summit of the block that could impose sanctions on Turkey.

Turkey will not bow to threats and blackmailing over Eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish president reiterated on Dec. 7, stressing that the county will not allow any "imperialist expansionism" on the sea, either.

Turkey is in favor of peace and cooperation rather than tension in the eastern Mediterranean, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was reported as saying Monday, however adding that his country will not yield to "imperialist" expansionism in the region.

Turkish farmers have been paid a total of 1.25 billion euros ($1.5) billion in assistance over the last eight years as part of a project in cooperation with the European Union, Agriculture Minister Bekir Pakdemirli has said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu spoke to his Italian counterpart over the phone, according to Turkish diplomatic sources on Dec. 5.

Çavuşoğlu and Luigi Di Maio discussed matters pertaining to the European Union, Cyprus, and bilateral relations, the sources said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Turkey is well on its way to becoming a center for designing and manufacturing all kinds of engines, especially in aviation, the country's president said on Dec. 5. 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he will get vaccinated against COVID-19, in a move intended to boost public confidence in the safety and efficacy of the jab that is hoped to bring an end to the pandemic.

Working on an ambitious slate of economic and legal reforms, top Turkish officials on Dec. 4 met with key business leaders. 

Lütfi Elvan, the treasury and finance minister, and Abdulhamit Gül, the justice minister, met with leaders of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD).

Turkey's Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO) on Dec. 3 opened a new concert hall in the capital Ankara.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the Presidential Symphony Orchestra building will serve as a symbol of the country's rich culture and arts.