Turkey

Cypriot leaders held talks on reunification

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on Monday held the first of two top-level meetings scheduled for this week, under United Nations sponsorship, as they intensified their efforts to reunify the Mediterranean island which has been split for almost 50 years. “The leaders had a good and long discussion on …

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Georgia proposes union similar to EU for Caucasus in talks with Turkey

Georgia’s president has urged Turkey to help realize the unification of the South Caucasus but said his country does not want Russia or Iran in the alliance. “The emergence of the ‘United Caucasus’ is my aspiration,” Mikheil Saakashvili reportedly told Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu while discussing the concept of …

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Greece says Turkey should act constructively on Cyprus problem

Greek Foreign Minister Demetris Droutsas on Tuesday urged Turkey to act constructively for a solution to the decades-old Cyprus problem. Droutsas was in Cyprus for a two-day visit for talks with Greek Cypriots before flying to London and New York. He expressed support for a viable solution in Cyprus, adding …

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Turkey delays EU reforms as accession is not certain

With key European Union states showing no sign of relenting in their opposition to Turkey’s accession, the government has postponed dozens of laws required to be passed to achieve harmonization with the 27-nation bloc’s standards until after the June elections, and even beyond.

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Greek FM says the country is working to facilitate one-day visas for Turkish tourists

Greek Foreign Minister Demetris Droutsas on Monday said his ministry was working on a plan that would allow for the issuance one-day visas for Turkish tourists. “I believe there is a significant increase in the number of Turks visiting Greece. And we are trying to work the issue out on …

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Turkey praises Mubarak resignation, calls for democracy

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who stepped down Friday (February 11th) after weeks of mass protests. The Turkish leader expressed hope for a fast transition to a constitutional democracy through elections. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also welcomed the developments. …

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Turkish ambassador to Bulgaria: visas for Turkish citizens must be abolished

Turkish ambassador to Bulgaria İsmail Aramaz says that the visa system for Turkish citizens wanting to enter Bulgaria is a “serious obstacle to the future development of bilateral relations”. “Our government constantly urges the Bulgarian authorities to consider this issue,” he said. “In the previous instance, our prime minister, Recep …

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