European Union

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European Council to ‘hold a strategic discussion on Turkey’

EU LEADERS’ SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS

European Council to ‘hold a strategic discussion on Turkey’

The European Union (EU) leaders’ summit, initially planned for September 24 and 25, starts today in Brussels. The leaders will discuss foreign affairs, in particular relations with Turkey and the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Trilateral video conference: Turkey, Greece ready for exploratory talks

Trilateral video conference: Turkey, Greece ready for exploratory talks

Ahead of the EU leaders summit in early October, President Erdoğan, Germany’s Chancellor Merkel and President of the European Council Michel met in a video conference. It has been emphasized that Turkey and Greece are ready to start talks.

23 September 2020

European Parliament warns Turkey of sanctions, Turkey says it is ‘biased, unfair’

EASTERN MEDITTERANEAN

European Parliament warns Turkey of sanctions, Turkey says it is ‘biased, unfair’

In a resolution adopted by 601 votes in favour, 57 against, the European Parliament has condemned Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and expressed support for Cyprus and Greece. Turkey has slammed the resolution in a written statement.

18 September 2020

EU warns Turkey in the annual State of the Union Address

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN CRISIS

EU warns Turkey in the annual State of the Union Address

Addressing the Eastern Mediterranean crisis in her annual State of the Union Address, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has noted that “nothing is justification for Turkey’s attempts to intimidate its neighbors.”

16 September 2020

Reports: Southern Cyprus blocking EU sanctions on Belarus over Turkey dispute

Reports: Southern Cyprus blocking EU sanctions on Belarus over Turkey dispute

Cyprus demands the EU impose similar measures on Turkey over its hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to reports.

10 September 2020

Escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean: A brief summary

Escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean: A brief summary

While the debates on drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean have been around since 2010, tensions have escalated especially in the last two months. But what has changed in these two months? What is happening in the region?

9 September 2020 Pınar Tarcan

Foreign Minister of France warns Turkey of sanctions over Eastern Mediterranean

Foreign Minister of France warns Turkey of sanctions over Eastern Mediterranean

Noting that the main issue on the agenda of EU leaders’ summit will be Eastern Mediterranean, France’s Foreign Minister Le Drian has accused Erdoğan of “creating an Islamic national atmosphere to conceal the reality of the economic situation in Turkey.”

7 September 2020

Foreign Ministry: EU's demand from Turkey to stop hydrocarbon activities 'out of line'

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Foreign Ministry: EU's demand from Turkey to stop hydrocarbon activities 'out of line'

"As confirmed by the EU Court of Justice, the EU has no authority in this matter. This request is against both the EU's own acquis and international law," the ministry has stated.

EU decision of possible sanctions on Turkey: They could apply to ships

LATEST IN THE EASTERN MEDITERREANEN CRISIS

EU decision of possible sanctions on Turkey: They could apply to ships

High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs Borrell has urged Turkey to abstain from any unilateral actions amid increasing tensions between Turkey and Greece. Merkel has called on EU countries to be on the side of Greece.

Turkey issues new alert for drilling in Eastern Mediterranean

Turkey issues new alert for drilling in Eastern Mediterranean

Two days after the EU foreign ministers meeting, Ankara has announced that it will start a new drilling operation tomorrow.

Europe shouldn't be turned in to a 'Greek theater,' says ruling party spokesperson

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN TENSIONS

Europe shouldn't be turned in to a 'Greek theater,' says ruling party spokesperson

Greece calls the EU for an emergency meeting, AKP's Ömer Çelik accuses Athens of aggression, Brussels says it is "worried."

Turkey again not included in EU's safe travel list

Turkey again not included in EU's safe travel list

Citizens of Turkey cannot enter the EU unless they are closer relatives to an EU citizen, long-term residents of the EU or work in the health sector, according to the European Council recommendations.

Turkey 'rejects' EU's condemnation of Hagia Sophia's conversion

Turkey 'rejects' EU's condemnation of Hagia Sophia's conversion

"Had Borell said, 'It would be better if it remained a museum,' I would respect that but we reject the word 'condemnation'," Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu has said.

Libya: Turkey accuses Brussels of 'sanctioning GNA' as EU foreign ministers meet

Libya: Turkey accuses Brussels of 'sanctioning GNA' as EU foreign ministers meet

President Erdoğan has spoken with Vladimir Putin on the Libya conflict.

HRW, Amnesty International call on EU Ministers to ‘address rights concerns in Turkey’

HRW, Amnesty International call on EU Ministers to ‘address rights concerns in Turkey’

Ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council discussion on EU-Turkey relations on July 13, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have sent a joint letter to Josep Borrell and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU member states.

EU lifts travel restrictions on 14 countries, Turkey not one of them

EU lifts travel restrictions on 14 countries, Turkey not one of them

Under the current rules, citizens of Turkey or the US cannot enter the European Union (EU) unless they are close relatives of an EU citizen, long-term residents of the EU, or work in the healthcare sector.

‘Decisions of Turkey’s Supreme Election Council inconsistent with international norms’

VENICE COMMISSION

‘Decisions of Turkey’s Supreme Election Council inconsistent with international norms’

Adopting an opinion as to the dismissal of elected mayors and appointment of trustees in southeastern Turkey, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has noted that the decisions of the Supreme Election Council should be reversed.

19 June 2020 Pınar Tarcan

Libya: Turkey Adamant to Support GNA as EU Urges Exit of 'Foreign Forces'

Libya: Turkey Adamant to Support GNA as EU Urges Exit of 'Foreign Forces'

"We will stand with our Libyan brothers, not the putschists, not the imperialists," President Erdoğan said after a call for European countries for "withdrawal of foreign forces."

EU Expresses ‘Deep Concern’ Over Appointment of Trustees to HDP Municipalities

EU Expresses ‘Deep Concern’ Over Appointment of Trustees to HDP Municipalities

Vice President of European Commission Borrell has said, “Decisions and actions taken by the Turkish authorities against municipalities with mayors from opposition parties remain of deep concern, in particular when they appear to be politically motivated.”

Turkey is Determined to Reach Full Membership to the EU, Says President Erdoğan

Turkey is Determined to Reach Full Membership to the EU, Says President Erdoğan

President and ruling AKP Chair Erdoğan shared a message on May 9 Europe Day. “We should seize the opportunity these difficult days offer us in a good way, in order to revitalize the relations between Turkey and the EU,” said Erdoğan.

37 Percent of EU’s Waste in Turkey

37 Percent of EU’s Waste in Turkey

According to the statistics shared by the Eurostat, the European Union (EU) countries exported 31 million tons of waste in 2019, 11.4 million of which was to Turkey. The country has ranked first in the statistics, well ahead of other countries.

EU and EP: Turkey’s Law on Release of Prisoners is a Great Disappointment

EU and EP: Turkey’s Law on Release of Prisoners is a Great Disappointment

European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur on Turkey Sánchez Amor and Chair of EP’s Delegation to EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Lagodinsky have made a statement about the recently enacted law on criminal enforcement.

EU Interior Ministers Denounce Turkey's 'Use of Migration'

EU Interior Ministers Denounce Turkey's 'Use of Migration'

The ministers met in Brussels for emergency talks after Turkey's move to open its borders for refugees.

14 EU Foreign Ministers on Idlib: End the Offensive, Resume the Ceasefire

14 EU Foreign Ministers on Idlib: End the Offensive, Resume the Ceasefire

14 EU Foreign Ministers have released a joint op-ed on the recent escalation in Idlib. Making a call for a ceasefire, Ministers have also called on Russia “to continue negotiations with Turkey in order to de-escalate the dire situation in Idlib.”

26 February 2020

EU: We are Preparing a Sanctions List Against Turkey

EU: We are Preparing a Sanctions List Against Turkey

High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has indicated that they are preparing a list of names to be sanctioned over Turkey’s exploration and drilling for natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean.

21 January 2020

Citizens Support Turkey’s Accession to EU, But Don’t Believe It will Come True

Citizens Support Turkey’s Accession to EU, But Don’t Believe It will Come True

While 60 percent of citizens support Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU), only 23 percent believe that the country will ultimately become a member of the union, says a survey participated by 4,506 people from 35 cities.

30 December 2019

20 Thousand Mines Destroyed at Turkey-Iran Border

20 Thousand Mines Destroyed at Turkey-Iran Border

20,000 mines have been destroyed at the eastern border of Turkey as part of a de-mining project funded by the EU. Head of EU Delegation to Turkey Berger has indicated that the EU will continue supporting Turkey’s efforts to de-mine its border.

19 November 2019

EU Adopts Framework for Sanctions Against Turkey Over Drilling Activities

EU Adopts Framework for Sanctions Against Turkey Over Drilling Activities

European Council has adopted a framework “for restrictive measures in response to Turkey’s unauthorized drilling activities in Eastern Mediterranean”, which is likely to impose sanctions on “individuals and entities responsible or involved".

12 November 2019

EU Mobilizes 663 Million Euro in Assistance for Refugees in Turkey

EU Mobilizes 663 Million Euro in Assistance for Refugees in Turkey

The EU has sent 663 million Euro to the assistance program for refugees in Turkey as part of a 2015 deal between Ankara and Brussels.

31 October 2019

Joint Statement by 28 EU Countries: Cease the Unilateral Military Action

Joint Statement by 28 EU Countries: Cease the Unilateral Military Action

Releasing a joint statement, 28 EU countries have “called upon Turkey to cease the unilateral military action”. The countries have further underlined that “a so-called ‘safe zone’ is unlikely to satisfy international refugee criteria for refugee return”.

EU Delegation Statement on Human Rights in Turkey

EU Delegation Statement on Human Rights in Turkey

Releasing a statement on human rights in Turkey, the Delegation of the EU to the Council of Europe (EUDEL) has criticized the state’s attitude in Gezi trial and made a call to implement the the Judicial Reform Strategy with determined and concrete steps.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Criticizes EU’s 2019 Progress Report on Turkey

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Criticizes EU’s 2019 Progress Report on Turkey

Responding to the 2019 Progress Report on Turkey released by the EU, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kaymakçı has said, “Criticisms about the functioning of judiciary cannot be accepted. Important steps are being taken in the field of judiciary.”

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