• Trump administration slams NATO ally Turkey for weapon test

    Trump administration slams NATO ally Turkey for weapon test

    Oct 23, 2020 09:56 PM EST

    ... spokesman, Jonathan Hoffman, said in a statement. “We have been clear and unwavering in our position: an operational S-400 system is not consistent with Turkey’s commitments as a U.S. and NATO ally.” The State Department separately called Turkey's test unacceptable and a “clear step in the ...

  • E.U. criticizes Turkey for ‘backsliding’ on democracy, fundamental rights

    E.U. criticizes Turkey for ‘backsliding’ on democracy, fundamental rights

    Oct 06, 2020 06:36 PM EST

    ... to pressure civil society, aid groups and the media, and that political power is still being concentrated in the hands of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey rejected some of the findings and branded the EU as “prejudiced.” “Turkey remains a key partner for the European Union. However, Turkey has continued ...

  • Pompeo voices support for talks between Greece, Turkey

    Pompeo voices support for talks between Greece, Turkey

    Sep 29, 2020 06:06 PM EST

    Amid the tensions with Turkey, Greece has announced major arms purchases, including fighter jets from France, as well as warships, helicopters and weapons systems. "I was pleased to see that Mr. Pompeo shares our positions, understanding that tension between two members of NATO ultimately is not in anyone’s interest ...

  • Turkey, Greece soon to resume talks on maritime boundary disputes

    Turkey, Greece soon to resume talks on maritime boundary disputes

    Sep 22, 2020 06:13 PM EST

    ... NATO allies flared over energy prospecting rights in an area between Turkey's southern coast, several Greek islands and the war-divided island of Cyprus. Turkey sent a research vessel, escorted by warships, into the disputed waters this summer. Following mediation efforts by Germany and others, Turkey pulled back the ...

  • WATCH: Turkey's Erdogan criticizes U.N. for leaving countries 'on their own' at start of pandemic

    WATCH: Turkey's Erdogan criticizes U.N. for leaving countries 'on their own' at start of pandemic

    Sep 22, 2020 06:07 PM EST

    ... potential offshore natural gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, saying that Turkey prioritised dialogue, but "will not tolerate any impositions, harassments or attacks." Greece and Turkey are close to reviving talks on the long-standing maritime disputes following, a Greek official said on Monday. NATO members Greece and Turkey have ...

  • Turkey's president formally makes Hagia Sophia a mosque

    Turkey's president formally makes Hagia Sophia a mosque

    Jul 10, 2020 08:01 PM EST

    ... Mike Pompeo said last month the landmark should remain a museum to serve as bridge between faiths and cultures. His comments sparked a rebuke from Turkey's Foreign Ministry, which said Hagia Sophia was a domestic issue of Turkish national sovereignty. Erdogan, a devout Muslim, has frequently used the Hagia ...

  • Libya's Turkey-backed Tripoli forces take back another town

    Libya's Turkey-backed Tripoli forces take back another town

    Jun 05, 2020 08:16 PM EST

    CAIRO (AP) — Forces allied with the U.N.-supported government in Libya’s capital said Friday they have retaken another key western town from rivals behind a year-long offensive on Tripoli. The development is yet another illustration of how Turkey’s support for the Tripoli government has turned the ...

  • Turkey announces plan to ease virus restrictions

    Turkey announces plan to ease virus restrictions

    May 04, 2020 08:37 PM EST

    ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Monday what he called a "normalization plan" to gradually ease restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic as the death rate falls, but warned of tougher measures to come should the number of infections rebound. In a televised address following a Cabinet ...

  • Turkey sends medical equipment to help U.S. fight virus

    Turkey sends medical equipment to help U.S. fight virus

    Apr 28, 2020 06:59 PM EST

    ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey has dispatched a planeload of personal protective equipment to support the United States as it grapples with the coronavirus outbreak. A Turkish military cargo carrying the medical equipment took off from an air base near the capital Ankara on Tuesday, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported ...

  • Turkey tightens virus lockdown but tries to protect economy

    Turkey tightens virus lockdown but tries to protect economy

    Apr 12, 2020 03:03 PM EST

    ... desire to hide the scope of their outbreaks. Coronavirus-related restrictions have varied by country. While most European nations have imposed strict constraints on movement, Turkey’s earlier approach was comparable to that of Sweden, where authorities have advised the public to practice social distancing but schools, bars and restaurants ...