The 8th sanctions package against Russia that will most likely be accepted at the European Union Leader’s Prague summit on October 6 includes certain provisions that would profoundly affect the Turkish economy. New measures stipulate a new listing of individuals and further restrictions on trade such as an import ban on Russian “steel products, wood
Following the suicide bombing attack on a police station in the Southern province of Mersin on Sep. 26, imprisoned politician Selahattin Demirtaş, the former co-chair of the Kurdish-issue-focused People’s Democracy Party (HDP), posted a series of messages on his Twitter account on the evening of 30 September. With these messages, Demirtaş was taking a stance
The outlawed Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) organized a bombed attack on a police station in the Southern Province of Mersin on September 26, prompting further questions as the investigation unveils. The terrorist attack was prevented by 48-year-old police officer Sedat Gezer, who was shot and murdered during the clashes as two militants attempted to enter
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Friday that Turkey will respond to the United States’ recent decision to lift the arms embargo on Cyprus “with tangible steps” accusing the US to escalate tensions in the island with the decision. “We will respond to the USA’s decision with tangible steps. As upon your (US’s) wish
Amid talks in the main opposition block to come up with a candidate to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2023 Turkish elections, another election alliance was announced on September 24 in İstanbul around the Kurdish-problem-focused Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). It is called the “Labor and Freedom Alliance, (EÖİ). The left-wing parties that allied
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived Samarkand Uzbekistan on Sep. 15 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization leaders’ summit for the first time, marking a possibility for Turkey to hold a different place in the balance of power in the World within this rapidly changing process. First of ull, it is useful to underline a
Statements from opposition İYİ (Good) Party leader Meral Akşener and Kurdish issue-focused Democratic People’s Party’s (HDP) imprisoned former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş on September 13 strengthened the possibility that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s competitor in the critical 2023 presidential elections will be main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. “The decision will be made
On September 12, two essential data for July were announced: Labor force and balance of payments. In summary, the situation is like this: The unemployment rate is still at a high level, in particular, the broadly defined unemployment rate is referred to as the ‘underutilized labor rate.’ On the other hand, the current account deficit
A favourite phrase by Turkish government officials these days is that they are “implementing a foreign policy with a 360 degree outlook which is cemented on friendship”. I’m assuming the message is that they are weighing every possible policy angle before making a decision but the ultimate aim is friendship. Actual policy and reality on
When the construction of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which the Russians were building in Turkey, came to a standstill, the issue came to the table during the meeting of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with Russian President Vladimir Putin at their August-5 Sochi meeting, but it could not be resolved. Erdoğan met with the officials of