Turkey

Turkish and Greek leaders exchanged solidarity messages after powerful earthquake kills 27

Turkish rescue workers searched through rubble for survivors on Saturday, as the death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit the Aegean Sea the previous afternoon rose to 27. Officials…

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Update: Strong earthquake kills 19 people in Turkey and Greek islands

Nineteen people were killed in Turkey and Greece after a strong earthquake struck the Aegean Sea on Friday, bringing buildings crashing down and setting off tidal waves which slammed into…

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UPDATED: Six dead after powerful earthquake struck Turkey and Greece

Update - 1700h Six people were killed in Turkey after a strong earthquake struck the Aegean Sea on Friday, bringing buildings crashing down and setting off tidal waves which slammed into coastal…

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Turkey hits at “Crusades” against Islam in cartoons row with France

Turkey's president said on Wednesday that Western countries mocking Islam wanted to "relaunch the Crusades", heightening a confrontation with France over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad that have stirred anger…

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Relations between France and Turkey continue downhill slide

Top Turkish officials condemned a caricature scorning President Tayyip Erdogan in the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, calling it a “disgusting effort” to “spread its cultural racism and…

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Erdogan files criminal complaint against Dutch politician Wilders

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has filed a criminal complaint with Turkish authorities against prominent Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders saying that he had insulted him on social media, state-owned Anadolu…

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Erdogan backs boycott of French goods – European countries rally behind Macron

Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan asked his compatriots to stop buying French goods on Monday in the latest expression of anger in the Muslim world over images being displayed in France…

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Photo Story: Saype’s Beyond Walls Project landart in Istanbul

The giant biodegradable landart painting by French-Swiss artist Saype, the 8th step of his worldwide Beyond Walls Project on a floating barge at Halic Bay near the Bosporus in Istanbul.…

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Greece calls Turkey’s move to extend east Med survey ‘illegal’

Turkey said it was extending the seismic survey work of its Oruc Reis ship in a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean until Nov. 4, and Greece responded on Sunday…

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Turkey’s Erdogan says French Macron has ‘lost his way’ in second verbal attack

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday Emmanuel Macron had "lost his way", in his second sharp criticism of the French leader in two days over the treatment of Muslims.…

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Turkey extends exploration in disputed Mediterranean area to Nov. 4

Turkey said it was extending the seismic survey work of its Oruc Reis ship in a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean until Nov. 4, taking a step which was…

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France recalls Turkish envoy

France on Saturday said it was recalling its envoy to Turkey for consultations after comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggesting French counterpart Emmanuel Macron needed a mental health…

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Turkey extends exploration in disputed Mediterranean waters to Oct. 27

Turkey announced it extended the stay of its Oruc Reis survey vessel and two other ships in a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean until Oct. 27, in a move…

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Turkey said to consider a return to some coronavirus curbs

Turkey is considering re-imposing some measures to stem rising coronavirus cases such as stay-home orders for younger and older people or even weekend lockdowns, but will avoid hurting the economic…

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Turkey says ‘miracle’ Black Sea gas field larger than first estimated

A massive gas field off the Turkish coast in the Black Sea contains 85 billion cubic meters more natural gas than originally estimated, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday…

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Turkey defies EU, US and NATO – Greek media

As the European Union sent out another strongly worded statement on Friday regarding Turkey’s infringements in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey continued on its path of defiance to the West with the reported missile…

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U.S. blames Turkey for inflaming situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenian and Azeri forces fought new clashes on Friday, defying hopes of ending nearly three weeks of fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed…

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Turkish arms sales to Azerbaijan surged before Nagorno-Karabakh fighting

Turkey's military exports to its ally Azerbaijan have risen six-fold this year, with sales of drones and other military equipment rising to $77 million last month alone before fighting broke…

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Turkish survey ship begins operations in east Mediterranean

A Turkish seismic survey ship has reached the location in the eastern Mediterranean where it will operate and was beginning to take readings on Wednesday, Turkey's Energy Minister Fatih Donmez…

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US slams Turkey’s coercion, threats and intimidation in the Mediterranean

The United States on Tuesday slammed Turkey's renewed push to send a vessel to carry out seismic surveys in the eastern Mediterranean, accusing Ankara of unilaterally stoking tensions and "deliberately"…

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Global fashion brands bearing brunt of informal Saudi blockade of Turkish goods

Global fashion brands are bearing the brunt of rising regional rivalries with Saudi Arabia informally banning all imports of all products which are made in Turkey. The issue was raised…

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Greece, France in strong reaction after Turkey carries out seismic surveys in Mediterranean

Greece and France reacted angrily to a decision by the Turkish Government to send a ship to carry out seismic surveys in the eastern Mediterranean, prompting Greece to issue a…

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Turkey to conduct seismic survey in eastern Mediterranean

Turkey's navy has issued an advisory late Sunday saying that the Turkish ship Oruc Reis will carry out a seismic survey in the eastern Mediterranean over the next ten days,…

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North Cyprus President to face Prime Minister in runoff

Northern Cyprus's President Mustafa Akinci and Prime Minister Ersin Tatar will go to a run-off in a week's time after each won about 30% support in Sunday's presidential poll, official…

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Turkish Cypriots vote in delayed Presidential elections

Turkish Cypriots are voting for a new president tasked with overcoming their deep political chasms with rival Greek Cypriots. Among the top candidates are current Prime Minister Ersin Tatar and…

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Turkish, Greek foreign ministers meet for first time since crisis

The foreign ministers of Turkey and Greece met on Thursday for the first time since a dispute between the two NATO members over energy exploration and maritime jurisdiction in the…

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Turkey says EU Commission report ‘biased’, reiterates commitment to EU membership

Turkey dismissed a report by the European Commission as “biased, far from constructive”, saying Ankara rejected the criticisms directed at its economy, democracy and courts, and remained committed to the…

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Turkish lira hits weekly low on EU sanctions risk

Turkey's lira hit its weakest in nearly a week on Thursday on concerns over possible sanctions after Bloomberg reported Ankara would soon test its Russia-purchased S-400 missile defences, and as…

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European Commission says that Turkey’s EU membership bid is evaporating

The European Union's executive said on Tuesday that Turkey's government was undermining its economy, eroding democracy and destroying independent courts, leaving Ankara's bid to join the EU further away than…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Rumeli Castle, Turkey

Rumeli castle and fortress during curfew in Istanbul, Turkey. Rumeli Castle, know in Turkey as Rumeli Hisarı, is an Ottoman fortress dating to 1452, which is currently an open-air museum…

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Indications Turkish drill ship heading back to Turkey from off Cyprus

The Turkish drill ship Yavuz has left the area where it was operating southwest of Cyprus and reached the Turkish coast, Refinitiv Eikon shipping data showed on Monday, in a…

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Erdogan says Turkey aims to boost ties with Libya’s GNA

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday Turkey aims to strengthen relations with Libya's internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) after a meeting with the country's prime minister, who plans…

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UPDATED: Turkey rejects calls for ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh

Turkey rejected “superficial” demands for a ceasefire on Saturday in the South Caucasus, where it backs Azerbaijan, after a week of fierce fighting with ethnic Armenian forces in the breakaway…

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Libya takes centre stage in Italy-Turkey diplomatic talks

Outgoing Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj remains "fundamental" for Libya without a deal on a new institutional architecture in the north African country, Foreign Minister Luigi D i Maio told…

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Doctors group says Turkey ‘hid the truth’ on coronavirus cases

Turkey’s top medical association and the main opposition party criticised a decision by President Tayyip Erdogan’s government to only publicly disclose new coronavirus cases if the patient is showing symptoms.…

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Turkish official says Ankara unswayed over EU sanctions on Eastern Mediterranean

Turkey would be even more determined to protect its territorial rights in the Eastern Mediterranean if the European Union ultimately decides to impose sanctions on it over offshore oil and…

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Turkey to “do what is necessary” to support Azerbaijan

The presidents of France, Russia and the United States called on Thursday for an immediate ceasefire between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces around Nagorno-Karabakh, but Turkey said the three big…

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Greece and Turkey set up ‘hotline’ to defuse dispute – NATO

Greece and Turkey have set up a mechanism to avoid accidental clashes in the Eastern Mediterranean, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, part of efforts to defuse a dispute…

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Cyprus demands sanctions on Turkey as EU summit stalls on Belarus

Cyprus defied pressure to approve European Union sanctions on Belarus at a leaders' summit on Thursday, urging other members of the bloc to also punish Turkey for its oil and…

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Turkey expects concrete steps from EU summit – foreign minister

Turkey expects concrete steps to be taken at a European Union summit on Oct. 1-2 regarding issues including the updating of a 2016 migrant deal and customs union with the…

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Turkey denies claim that it shot down an Armenian warplane, Putin appeals for ceasefire

The claim by an Armenian official that Turkey shot down an Armenian fighter jet is “absolutely untrue”, Turkey’s communications director Fahrettin Altun said. “Armenia should withdraw from the territories under…

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Greece and Turkey to resume talks after weeks of tensions in East Med

The United States and Greece called on Monday for a peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in the east Mediterranean as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began a two-day trip…

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Erdogan spokesman says Turkey sees EU summit as chance for reset

Turkey sees a European Union summit this week as an opportunity to reset relations between them, but the bloc must produce specific proposals and a timetable to work on a…

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Turkey reserves sea area near Rhodes for live fire naval exercise

Turkey on Saturday issued a navigational telex for a naval exercise with live fire, reserving a sea area between the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo, Greek media reports. The…

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Armenia calls for Turkey’s non-involvement in conflict

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on the international community on Sunday to ensure that Turkey does not involve itself in Armenia's conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, trading barbs…

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Turkey, Greece agree to resume talks after four year hiatus

Turkey and Greece have agreed to resume talks over their contested maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean after a four year hiatus following weeks of tensions that culminated in a…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Dalyan River, Turkey

The Dalyan River as local cruise boats carry tourists to Iztuzu Beach, in Dalyan town, in Mugla, Turkey. Dalyan town is situated near of the Dalyan River, where the delta…

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Turkey will keep supporting Libya’s GNA despite Sarraj plan to quit

Turkey's agreements and cooperation with Libya's internationally recognised government will continue despite Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's desire to quit, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin was quoted as saying on Monday. In…

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Turkey may resume talks with Greece but warns against EU sanctions

Turkey and Greece could soon resume talks over their contested Mediterranean claims but European Union leaders meeting this week will not help if they threaten sanctions, Turkey’s presidential spokesman said…

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Surge in Turkish COVID cases pits doctors against politicians

Resurgent coronavirus cases in Turkey are fuelling tensions between doctors who say the official figures underplay the scale of the outbreak and politicians who accuse the country’s medical association of…

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Malta and Spain to collaborate in easing tensions in East Med

Turkish media gave prominence this morning to a press conference held in Madrid following a meeting between the Maltese and Spanish Foreign Affairs Ministers. During their encounter, the two sides…

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Turkey pulls back survey vessel to allow for diplomacy with Greece – Erdogan

Turkey pulled back its Oruc Reis seismic survey vessel from the eastern Mediterranean to allow for diplomacy with Greece, but this not mean Turkish operations in the region are finished,…

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Erdogan cautions that Turkish drill ship did not end operations in east Mediterranean

President Tayyip Erdogan told German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a video call on Wednesday that the docking of Turkey’s Oruc Reis seismic survey vessel for maintenance does not mean its…

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Turkey’s coronavirus death toll exceeds 7,000

The death toll in Turkey due to the novel coronavirus reached 7,056 on Sunday, rising by 57 people in the last 24 hours, data from the Health Ministry showed. The…

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Turkey does not expect EU sanctions over east Mediterranean dispute

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday that Turkey does not expect the European Union to impose sanctions on it over a dispute with Greece over territorial claims in the…

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Turkey says U.S. needs to return to neutral stance on Cyprus

Turkey said early on Monday that the United States needed to return to a neutral stance on Cyprus, after Washington and Nicosia signed a memorandum of understanding to create a…

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Positive first step by Turkey to ease tensions Greece

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday the return of Turkish survey vessel Oruc Reis back to its southern province of Atntalya was a positive first step to ease…

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