German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was in Ankara for his first visit to Turkey as the chancellor on March 14. He and President Tayyip Erdoğan discussed complex relations between the two countries, but the real issue was the Ukraine crisis. The day before that, on March 13, Erdoğan met with Greek Prime Minister Kriyakos Mitsotakis in
“Peace at home, peace in the world” said Atatürk, the founder of Modern Turkey. Having fought in North Africa, Middle East, Balkans, Gallipoli during the collapse of Ottomans and in Anatolia where he founded Turkey, he had seen the disastrous destruction of international hostilities that war brings to humanity and civilisations. This is what we
Turkey’s healthcare workers will go on a strike once again on March 14 to 16 demanding better working conditions. Please support them. Because the very reasons that created their unbearable working conditions also threaten our rights as citizens to decent healthcare. Therefore please cancel your medical appointments if you have any for these given days.
US President Joe Biden and Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdoğan talked for 45 minutes on the phone on March 10. A few hours before, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu had brought together the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine, Sergey Lavrov and Dimitro Kuleba, in Turkey’s resort city Antalya in Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF). Biden’s schedule to
As Russia’s offensive to Ukraine enters its second week, two countries’ Foreign Ministers met in a first high-level meeting under Turkey’s mediation in Antalya on March 10. Parties emphasized their willingness to continue diplomatic talks while results about Ukraine’s demand on humanitarian corridors and ceasefire will wait for a higher-level approval. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu announced on March 7 that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba are to meet on Thursday, March 10 in Antalya, Turkey. This tripartite meeting will be the first high-level meeting between the two countries since Russia’s offensive began on February 24. Russian Foreign
As announced last week, the growth rate of Turkey was 11 percent in 2021. It is too high. So, is it sustainable? At which level could 2022 growth be? What are the risks that can create headwinds? Potential growth It is critical to pay attention to two different concepts related to growth. The first is
Ankara increased its efforts for a ceasefire Ukraine and to ensure Russia’s invasion to the country do not escalate to a point that would pose a threat to Turkey. However, neither Turkey’s nor other countries’ efforts can soften Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Tayyip Erdogan’s effort to persuade Putin to a ceasefire and humanitarian corridor
A few days ago, I wrote about the danger that olive groves face. While the press was still covering the importance of the situation, we are now facing a different threat. Sensitive areas, i.e. protected areas and areas that are important for nature, reserved for scientific studies and are not allowed for construction, are opened