Turkey

‘Whatever is written in the coalition government contract is valid. Turkey’s integration into the EU is in Germany’s interest,’ says German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. ‘This is, however, an open-ended process, not an automatic one. I am sure the Turkish government will keep up with reforms’Germany will stick to the …

Obviously, I was wrong and I my previous statements have led to this small diplomatic scandal, which raged out, Minister of Bulgarian Diaspora Bozhidar Dimitrov said. 

The economic crisis has put Romanian political leadership under pressure, but this should not distract the government from complying with its international obligations, Romanian ambassador to Berlin Lazăr Comănescu said. Commenting on the loss of a confidence vote which sanctioned the end of the grand coalition government of Emil Boc, …

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has publicly scolded his minister without portfolio in charge of the government agnecy for Bulgarians living abroad for his comments on Turkey’s bid to join the EU.

Turkish President Abdullah Gül said Monday that Turkey was proceeding toward the European Union in a determined way. “We can be more hopeful in 2010,” Gül said. He added that whether Turkey became a full member was a different issue. On the Cyprus issue, Gül said that the EU was …

Turkey’s foreign minister on Tuesday urged Bulgaria to refrain from statements that could hurt the relationship between the two countries, after Sofia threatened to block Ankara’s EU membership pending compensation for ethnic Bulgarians thrown out of Turkey nearly one hundred years ago. “Friendship between Bulgaria and Turkey is for the …

Bulgaria is threatening to block Turkey’s application to become member of the European Union unless it pays out billions of euros in compensation for displaced people, in a case dating back to the days of the Ottoman Empire. Bulgarian minister in charge of the Bulgarians abroad, Bozhidar Dimitrov, pressed the …

Turkish Prime Minister Recep TayyipErdogan on Wednesday urged the European Union (EU) to show “sincerity” over Turkey’s bid to join the 27-nation bloc. Turkey has been resolute in the membership bid despite “unfair treatment often seen” in its relations with the EU, Erdogan said. “We have shown our commitment and …

Southeastern Europe’s proposed natural gas pipeline moved a step closer to reality after the Romanian president signed a decree allowing parliament to ratify construction. The intergovernmental agreement on the Nabucco project was signed by the prime ministers of Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria in Ankara in July.

Turkey’s foreign minister says peace between Ankara, Azerbaijan and Armenia is “close” after a meeting with his Azeri counterpart. Ahmet Davutoglu said: “I think an impetus was created recently, and all sides, not only Azerbaijan and Armenia but also the Minsk group have to do their best to