Étiqueté : Turkey

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Why did Erdogan call snap elections in Turkey?

Turkish voters are expected to head to the polls in June, in an early election held against a backdrop of an ongoing state of emergency and a declining lira, as well as shifting international alliances and increasing involvement in Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the snap poll on Wednesday, moving it more than 18 months…

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Dutch diplomat pulled out of Turkey over glimpse allegations

The Netherlands has pulled one if its diplomats out of Turkey on Monday after Turkish media reported that the consulate employee was exposed during spying activities. The Dutch foreign ministry said the diplomat, who worked at the Dutch consulate in Istanbul, left Turkey out of concerns for his safety. « For his own safety – due…

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Varna summit now not going to raise Turkey, EU nearer

As European Union and Turkey leaders are set to meet in the Bulgarian Black Sea resort of Varna on Monday, there is little hope for reviving dormant relations, analysts have said. The summit, hosted by Bulgarian prime minister and chairman of the EU, Boyko Borissov, will bring together European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council…

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Czech court docket releases Salih Muslim, preventing Turkey extradition

A court in the Czech Republic has released Salih Muslim, a former Kurdish Syrian leader, despite Ankara’s official request for him to be extradited, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency. Muslim, a prominent former leader of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, was arrested in the Czech capital of Prague on Saturday at Turkey’s request.  Turkey had asked authorities…

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‘Syrian forces to attend YPG’ in fight in opposition to Turkey

The Kurdish YPG fighters claim they have reached a deal to allow Syrian government troops to enter Afrin in the northwestern part of the border town. Nuri Mahmoud, a spokesman for the People’s Protection Units (YPG), told Al Jazeera on Monday that they are calling on the Syrian government forces « to preserve a united Syria »,…

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Tillerson’s Turkey visit: Will it assist mend ties?

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Turkey twice during his first year in office, but his third trip due next week may well be the most important. Turkish-US relations were strained during former President Barack Obama’s tenure. Some observers say they’ve only become worse during President Donald Trump’s administration – and they fear the…

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Why is Russia helping Turkey in Afrin?

On January 20, Turkey launched an air and ground offensive, which it called « Olive Branch », against the Kurdish-controlled enclave of Afrin in northern Syria. As the offensive progressed rapidly, it became obvious that such an ambitious operation could not have been possible without Russia’s explicit approval. First of all, the operation required the Turkish Air…

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Germany and Turkey agree to repair ties

The foreign ministers of Turkey and Germany have agreed to work towards improving relations that have been strained after a period of high tensions. The apparent bid to restore friendlier ties between the two countries was laid bare on Saturday when Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s foreign minister, hosted his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. Speaking to reporters…

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US to renew plump visa services in Turkey

The US will reinstate full visa services for Turkish nationals, ending a suspension that lasted more than two months and highlighted strained relations between the two countries, the US diplomatic mission to Turkey has confirmed. Based on assurances from Turkey’s government, the US said it was « confident » that security had improved enough to warrant the « full…