The Dispatch

Serbia votes in national elections – Conservatives expected to win

Serbians went to the polls on Sunday to elect a new parliament in Europe's first national election since coronavirus lockdowns took effect three months ago, with the ruling conservatives expected…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Istanbul, Turkey

An aerial picture taken by drone shows a general view of Galata Tower and Halic Bay at sunset during curfew in Istanbul, Turkey.

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Turkey ready for fast reconstruction in conflict-torn Libya

Turkey is ready to rapidly start rebuilding conflict-torn Libya, a senior Turkish official said on Friday, after President Tayyip Erdogan's senior deputies visited Tripoli this week to discuss cooperation on…

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Turkey says will work with Italy for stable peace in Libya

Turkey will work together with Italy to achieve stable peace and a political process that will yield results in Libya, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday, and added the…

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Turkey plans more military bases in north Iraq after offensive

Turkey plans to set up more temporary military bases in northern Iraq after stepping up its strikes against Kurdish militants there, a senior Turkish official told Reuters, saying the effort…

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NATO to investigate Mediterranean incident between French, Turkish warships

NATO will investigate French accusations that Turkey's navy failed to respond to an allied call to inspect a vessel this month in the Mediterranean, the alliance chief said on Thursday,…

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Photo Story: Eating out in times of pandemic in Turkey

Customers sit inside social distancing domes Turkce Meze restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkey re-opens restaurants, cafes, parks, beaches, lifts inter-city travel bans as the country eases coronavirus restrictions amid the…

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Turkey discusses lasting ceasefire during Libya visit

Senior Turkish officials discussed a lasting ceasefire and political solution in Libya, as well as energy cooperation, during a visit to Tripoli on Wednesday, Turkey's foreign minister said. Mevlut Cavusoglu,…

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Reports Turkish warship harassed French ship off the coast of Libya

A senior Turkish military official said on it was "completely untrue" that the Turkish navy had harassed a French warship, denying an assertion by a French official. Earlier on Wednesday,…

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Turkish warplanes strike Kurdish targets in northern Iraq

Turkey’s Defence Ministry said its warplanes struck Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq’s Haftanin region on Wednesday, the second such operation launched against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in recent…

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Jump in coronavirus cases rattles Turkish officials

Turkey may have to adopt a harder line on social interactions following a worrying jump in coronavirus infections but it has no plans to reverse an easing of lockdown restrictions…

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Mid-Summer election calling in North Macedonia

North Macedonian political parties on Monday agreed to have parliamentary elections on July 15 despite a persistent level of novel coronavirus infections, a move seen as a crucial step for…

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Montenegro reports first new coronavirus case since May 5

Three weeks after declaring it was free of the coronavirus, Montenegro has reported a new COVID-19 case — a person who arrived from neighbouring Bosnia. It was the first new…

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Six detained in Croatia for inciting anti-Serbian violence

Croatian officials slammed an anti-Serb incident that saw a group of youths display a banner in the capital Zagreb reading: "We will fu** Serbian women and children." Conservative Croatian Prime Minister…

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5.7 magnitude earthquake in Turkey

An earthquake with a 5.7 magnitude shook Bingol province in eastern Turkey on Sunday, causing the collapse of a military observation tower which injured three people, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu…

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Turkish-Russian talks on Libya and Syria postponed

Russia and Turkey have postponed ministerial-level talks which were expected to focus on Libya and Syria, where the two countries support opposing sides in long-standing conflicts. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut…

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Infections in Turkey on the rise again

The number of new coronavirus cases in Turkey rose to 1,459 in the last 24 hours from 1,195 a day earlier, health ministry data showed on Saturday. Infections have been…

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North Macedonia ends state of Emergency

President Stevo Pendarovski on Friday said that despite an ongoing spike of COVID-19 infections, there was no “necessity” in prolonging the state of emergency that has been in place since…

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Turkish Airlines to resume flights to China, U.S. in June

Turkish Airlines will resume some international flights this month to China, South Korea and the United States among other destinations, the airline said on Friday, a day after it began…

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Hashim Thaci will quit Kosovo politics at end of Presidential term

After more than 20 years spent in Kosovo’s political arena, President Hashim Thaci on Thursday announced that he will no longer be involved in politics once his mandate ends in…

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Spain’s Repsol transfers its exploration rights for oil and gas off Bulgarian coast

Bulgaria has granted Spain's Repsol permission to transfer 30% of the rights to explore a block off its Black Sea coastline for gas and oil to the other two rights…

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Turkey restarts international flights

Turkey has restarted international flights for the first time since planes were grounded on March 28 to stem the coronavirus pandemic. A plane belonging to Anadolu Jet, a subsidiary of…

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Bulgaria reduces VAT for restaurants and catering services

Bulgaria's parliament on Wednesday approved government plans to cut value added tax (VAT) on food provided by restaurants and catering services to 9% from 20% from July to help an…

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Turkey dismisses Egyptian proposal for Libya ceasefire

Turkey on Wednesday dismissed Egypt's proposal for a ceasefire in Libya, saying the plan aimed to save Khalifa Haftar after the collapse of his offensive to control the capital Tripoli,…

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Bulgaria extends epidemic emergency until end of June

Bulgaria will extend an epidemic emergency until the end of June to fight the spread of the coronavirus after an increase in new registered cases, mainly in the south, Prime…

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Turkey relaxes coronavirus restrictions further

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday Turkey was largely lifting stay-at-home orders for people aged over 65 and for children as part of a further easing of restrictions imposed to…

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UPDATED: Erdogan backtracks on weekend lockdown after public backlash

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday backtracked on extending weekend lockdowns following a public backlash, but warned about a rise in the number of daily coronavirus cases. Turkey re-opened cafes,…

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Turkey vows more support to secure gains in Libya conflict

President Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Thursday to ramp up Turkey's support for its ally in Libya to lock in recent military gains, and promised joint exploration for oil at sea following talks…

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Turkey says to gradually resume flights with 40 countries in June

Turkey plans to resume flights with around 40 countries in June and has reached preliminary agreements for reciprocal air travel with 15 countries, Transport Minister Adil Karaismailoglu said on Thursday.…

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Turkish Airlines to start flights from 6 European countries on June 18

Turkish Airlines said on Tuesday it will start direct flights from 16 cities in six European countries to 14 cities in Anatolia as of June 18, including new routes it…

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Turkey re-opens restaurants, parks as it eases coronavirus measures

Turkey re-opens restaurants, cafes and parks on Monday and lifts inter-city travel curbs as the country eases restrictions taken to fight the coronavirus outbreak. President Tayyip Erdogan's government has been…

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Romania PM pays fine for not wearing a face mask

Romanian prime minister Ludovic Orban paid a 3,000 lei fine ($690) for breaking his own coronavirus restrictions by not wearing a face mask and smoking indoors. A picture which went…

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Turkey says may begin oil exploration under Libya deal in three-four months

Turkey may begin oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean within three or four months under a deal it signed with Libya that was condemned by others in the region including…

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Bulgaria to end quarantine on travel from most of EU but not Malta

Bulgaria will lift an obligatory 14-day quarantine from June 1 for travellers from most European Union countries, but not those states with the biggest coronavirus outbreaks, the government announced on…

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Photo Story: Drive-in cinema in Istanbul amid coronavirus pandemic

People sit in their cars and watch a movie at the car park of CarrefourSA market in Istanbul, Turkey, amid the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the…

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Gradual re-opening in Turkey from June 1

Turkey will lift restrictions on intercity travel and allow restaurants, cafes, parks and sports facilities to reopen from June 1 as it eases restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus outbreak, President…

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Bosnia to re-open borders with neighbouring countries on June 1

Bosnia will re-open borders closed by the coronavirus pandemic with neighbouring Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia on June 1 and lift restrictions for commercial flights, Prime Minister Zoran Tegeltija said on Thursday. Business…

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Serbia blocks flights from Montenegro

Serbia has banned inbound flights by Montenegro's flag carrier Montenegro Airlines after Podgorica refused to open its borders to people from Serbia, where coronavirus persists. Serbia's Directorate for Civilian Aviation…

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Bulgaria to reopen restaurants, bars and cafes on June 1

Bulgaria will allow restaurants, bars and cafes to reopen at full capacity on Monday as the Balkan country further eased restrictions imposed in mid-March to stop the spread of the…

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Hotels reopen in Croatia as it tries to lure back foreign tourists

Over the last days over 133 hotels and 65 campsites reopened in Croatia, igniting hopes that this summer season will not be completely lost to coronavirus. All beaches are now…

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Albania to open land borders, hotel beaches on Monday

Albania will re-open crèches and kindergartens and kick off its tourism season on June 1, the health minister announced, despite reporting a sharp daily rise in coronavirus infections. After three weeks…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Istanbul, Turkey

An aerial picture taken by a drone shows Galata Tower during the curfew to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in Istanbul, Turkey. Via EPA-EFE/TOLGA BOZOGLU

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Photo Story: Belgrade Airport resumes operations amid COVID-19 pandemic

Airport personnel wears a protective visor at the check-in counters at the Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade, Serbia. Air travel has resumed with a limited number of flights after…

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Photo Story: Prague Airport returns slowly to normality

Air staff wearing protective face mask walk at an arrivals area of the Vaclav Havel airport in Prague, Czech Republic. Czech Airlines resumed operations from Vaclav Havel Airport Prague from…

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Bulgaria to allow entry of citizens from EU, Schengen countries

Bulgaria, which has started to ease its lockdown, has scrapped a ban on the entry of visitors from the European Union and Schengen visa zone countries, the health ministry said…

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Turkey says attacks on its interests in Libya will have grave consequences

Turkey's foreign ministry warned on Thursday of grave consequences if General Khalifa Haftar's forces attacked Turkish interests in Libya. The ministry's spokesman said that Turkey, which backs Libya's internationally recognised…

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Turkey imposes additional import tariffs on more than 800 items

Turkey has imposed an additional tariff of up to 30% on imports of more than 800 items including work and agriculture machinery, a statement on the Official Gazette showed on…

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EU Council condemns Turkey drilling operation

The European Council criticised decisions by Turkey to dispatch a drilling ship to within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone and accused Ankara of breaching international law. In a statement, the EU…

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Archaeological sites re-open in Greece

The archaeological sites in Greece opened on Monday to visitors, following the easing of measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease. More than 200 archaeological sites in the country…

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Angry protests after demolition of Albanian national theatre

Albanian authorities began demolishing the national theatre building early on Sunday after dragging away two dozen actors and activists protecting the site, drawing a large crowd chanting “shame” and “dictatorship”.…

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Serbia pins hopes of post-coronavirus tourism revival on Chinese

Serbia is pinning its hopes of a tourism revival on Chinese visitors as it emerges from its coronavirus lockdown. But the Balkan country faces a battle with other European countries…

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Turkish Petroleum seeking Libya exploration permit

Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) has applied to Libya for an exploration permit in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey's Anadolu Agency reported. Exploration will begin as soon as the process is completed. Turkish Energy Minister…

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Turkish mask…

A man wearing a protective face mask walks in front of the Turkish flag amid the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in Istanbul, Turkey, 15 May 2020. Turkish President Recep Tayip…

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Turkey seeks global funding to avoid second currency crisis

Turkey's government has appealed to foreign allies in an urgent search for funding, three senior Turkish officials said, as it prepares defences against what analysts fear could be a second…

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Romania keeps most international flights suspended as it ends state of emergency

Flights from Romania to countries with high numbers of COVID-19 cases and flights from these countries to Romania will continue to be suspended after May 15, when the state of…

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Bulgaria declares coronavirus emergency until June 14

Bulgaria’s government on Wednesday declared an epidemic emergency until June 14, allowing the health minister to extend restrictions aimed at containing the coronavirus outbreak. The measure replaces a state of…

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Chinese lab boosts Serbia’s coronavirus testing capacity

A Chinese-built state-of-the-art laboratory is helping to nearly double Serbia's testing capacity for COVID-19, the lung disease caused by the new coronavirus, in the latest example of close ties…

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