Government of Turkey

Clashes broke out on Greece's border with Turkey before dawn Wednesday, after about 500 migrants attempted to break down a border fence and enter Greece.

Greek police said they used tear gas to repel the push south of the Kastanies border crossing. They said Turkish authorities also fired tear gas at the Greek border. The clashes began at 2 a.m. and lasted for roughly two hours.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday announced an economic package worth 100 billion liras (14.3 billion euros) to tackle the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Turkish economy.

Erdogan said that the Turkish government will do everything it can to protect the country's economy and businesses.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced an aid package of 100 billion Turkish liras (about $15.4 billion) to help overcome the effects of a coronavirus outbreak.

"Our top priority is that production and employment do not get interrupted. We will get stronger with public and private solidarity. We launch a package that will be a shield for our economy," Erdoğan said.

A total of 47 of our compatriots, who have been blocked in Morocco because of the measures taken by local authorities due to the COVID-19, landed with a Turkish Airlines flight around 6.00 am at Istanbul Airport, Bulgarian Foreign Ministry spokesman reported. They were welcomed by our consul.

Guards and police holding the northeastern Greek land border with Turkey thwarted what authorities say was an organized push to breach the frontier in the early hours of Wednesday.

Turkish president and Italian prime minister discussed over the phone possible joint measures and cooperation against the coronavirus outbreak on March 17.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered condolences to Italy's Giuseppe Conte over the loss of lives due to the COVID-19, the communications directorate said in a statement.

President Tayyip Erdogan will hold a teleconference on Tuesday with German, French and British leaders to discuss Turkey's standoff with the European Union after it opened its borders to migrants trying to enter the bloc.

Turkish, German, British and French leaders discussed the Syria crisis and migrant issue as well as joint action against coronavirus in a videoconference, the Turkish presidency said on March 17.

The first plane carrying 108 Turkish citizens from Munich, Germany, arrived in Istanbul on March 17after Turkey imposed a travel ban
last week to nine European countries amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Turkey banned entry from Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Turkey will unveil measures to reduce the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak this week, the treasury and finance minister said on March 16.

"President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will announce steps to be taken this week," Berat Albayrak said on Twitter.

Albayrak stressed that the country prioritized being prepared for the effects of coronavirus outbreak on the economy.