Turkey

CHP leader hints at new beginning in EU ties

The main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, leader’s meeting with European Union ambassadors Thursday has ended with no surprises. CHP leader Deniz Baykal attended a luncheon with EU envoys to Ankara under the initiative of the EU’s term president Sweden’s embassy. In his remarks reflected in Turkish dailies, Baykal …

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Reunification must be achieved by Cypriots themselves, President tells UN debate

UNITED NATIONS The unification of Cyprus must be brought about by Cypriots themselves, President Demetris Christofias told the General Assembly yesterday, adding the despite progress in negotiations, serious obstacles remain towards finding a final solution for the Mediterranean island. Mr. Christofias said that he and the leader of the Turkish …

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Parliament to hold open session for Kurdish move talks

TURKEY The parliamentary discussion over the recently launched Kurdish initiative will be held during an open session, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said late Tuesday, ending the controversy that prompted harsh criticism from the opposition. “It will be an open session, and everyone will be able to listen to what …

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FM Davutoğlu seeks support for Armenian reconciliation

TURKEY Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu meets with three opposition parties to discuss the reconciliation process with Armenia and urge them to support the two proposed protocols in the upcoming parliamentary vote. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu consecutively visited three opposition parties Tuesday afternoon to urge them to back the two agreed-upon …

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History of PKK in Turkey

TURKEY After Turkey’s 1980 military coup, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, gained strength in the Southeast, and four years later, the group began its armed attacks. Now, more than 20 years later, the residents of villages in the region still live in fear and wonder what their lives were …

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Putin: “Turkey could replace Ukraine in transporting gas to Europe”

RUSSIA Turkey could replace Ukraine as the main energy transport corridor for Russian natural gas to Europe, according to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. During a gathering late last week with academics, experts and reporters at the Valdai International Discussion Club, a group which meets annually to discuss Russia’s position …

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IMF deal ‘not tied to Istanbul summit’

TURKEY The International Monetary Fund’s goal of reaching agreement with Turkey for a possible loan to the country doesn’t have to be achieved at the lender’s annual meeting next month in Istanbul, an IMF spokesman said. “Both the Turkish authorities and the IMF would like to reach a conclusion regarding …

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Turkey’s possible IMF agreement unrelated to upcoming IMF/WB meetings

TURKEY Contrary to the all-too-common statements in the press, Turkey and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are no more likely to sign an agreement on the sidelines of the upcoming IMF World Bank Annual Meetings in İstanbul than they were at any time before or after the summit, said Caroline …

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