Turkey
First thoughts on Turkish elections
By Ilias Kouskouvelis Erdogan is the clear winner in today’s Turkish elections, obtaining 49%. Yet, he did not reach the number of 330 (3/5 of 550) representatives required to amend the Constitution.
CPJ condemns Turkish raids, takeover of critical Koza İpek news outlets
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns this week’s raids on several pro-opposition media outlets belonging to the Koza İpek Group. Police broke into the company’s building in Istanbul today and shut down live television broadcasts, two days after a Turkish court ordered the trustees of the privately owned company to be replaced, according to reports.
CPJ calls for investigation into murder of Syrian journalists in Turkey
New York, October 30, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Turkish authorities to investigate and bring to justice the murderers of two Syrian journalists found slain in an apartment in the city of Urfa in southeastern Turkey today.
OSCE condemns police raid against media outlets in Turkey
VIENNA, 28 October 2015 – Police raiding offices of media outlets, detaining journalists, and using tear gas and water cannons, is unacceptable, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today.
The refugee crisis and Turkey’s role heighten debate at EP plenary
The refugee crisis was the main issue during Tuesday’s discussions at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, where the heads of the European institutions called for unity while dealing with the problem.
Kotzias says Greece takes initiatives to end its role as guarantor power
Greece takes initiatives to end its status as a guarantor power in Cyprus and contribute to the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from the island, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said on Tuesday, after meeting Cyprus’ President of the House Yiannakis Omirou, in Nicosia.
Spokesman reiterates government’s position on Turkey’s accession negotiations
Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides has reiterated that it is expected that Turkey will fulfil its obligations in accordance with the Negotiating Framework and the various European Council Conclusions before any of its accession negotiating chapters related to its obligations vis-à-vis Cyprus can Progress.
Kotzias says Merkel is not an institution on her own in the EU
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias has said that the German Chancellor “is not a European institution on her own”, and thus does not have any authority to replace other established bodies of the European Union.
Spokesman: It’s up to Turkey to proceed with its accession process
It is up to Turkey to proceed with its accession process and open negotiating chapters, Government Spokesman, Nicos Christodoulides has told CNA, invited to comment on statements by the Turkish leadership and the German Chancellor during yesterday`s visit by Angela Merkel to Constantinople (Istanbul).
Water pipeline from Turkey continues expansionist policy against Cyprus
The underwater pipeline transferring water from Turkey to the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus as well as the triumphant tone given by Turkish leadership unfortunately prove that the project`s aim was not to cover the Turkish Cypriot community water needs but to convey the message of Turkey`s expansionist policy against Cyprus` sovereignty, independence and territorial […]