‘EU visa policy on Turkey is illegal,’ German-based advocacy group says – March 16th 2012 I quote: “The Germany-based, non-profit research and policy institute European Stability Initiative (ESI) has said the European Union’s current visa policy regarding Turkey is illegal and in violation of its own legal obligations, not to mention unsustainable. In a newsletter [...]

Kemal Derviş is both Turkish and German. His father is Turkish and his mother is German. I’m proud to be Turkish and the Germans can be proud too because he is the Batman of economics! Derviş gives three advices to Turkey I quote: “Brookings Institute’s Vice President Kemal Derviş made some special remarks on Turkey’s [...]

Well Greece has been an EU member since 1981. It received dozens of billions of EU funds and was able to modernize itself. It has been enjoying a very privileged situation within a rich and stable EU. But it still displays hostility towards Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. In the first instance, let’s remind the [...]

To start with, the religious leader of the Armenian-rooted Turkish citizens of Turkey stated recently (towards France) : Do not interfere with the matters between Turkey and Armenia. But many French politicians decided to interfere owing to two reasons: to weaken Turkey and for short-term domestic political gains. Now I do want to suggest that [...]

When General Ilker Başbuğ (a true pro-Atatürk man and soldier) became the Chief of General Staff, the websites created by some traitorous soldiers that aimed at destabilizing the Turkish government already existed. Therefore he can’t be responsible for that anti-government propaganda. Furthermore, these sites were closed following an order given by….Chief of General Staff Ilker [...]

I knew that one day these two articles regarding Ilker Başbuğ would be useful. I quote some crucial extracts: Turkey’s top general in ‘challenging mood’ over coup allegations – March 16th 2010 When a journalist asked about speculations that top generals might consider resigning from their posts in reaction to the arrests of their colleagues, [...]

I wish I suggested this great exchange that I had with Jan which dates back to last September (I should have done that with several former comments): “jan Comment by jan | 2011/09/25 at 02:01:27 Turkey should not join the EU at all because there is no benefit whatsoever towards Turkey other than lifting visa [...]

Ahmet Davutoğlu was the first Turkish politician who stated (in September or October 2009) that Northern Cyprus will be officially recognised as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus if the Greek side doesn’t show some willingness to find a solution with the Turkish side. Mr Davutoğlu exactly used these words during a press conference in [...]

EU term presidency of half-state in Cyprus shows EU’s weakness – November 24th 2011 President Abdullah Gül gave clear messages to the European Union on Cyprus dispute in a speech he delivered at the British Parliament. Greek Cypriot side is blocking ways to find a solution, President Gül said, adding that the prospect of the [...]

Last Monday Turkish President Abdullah Gül stated through The Guardian: Relations with the EU are a strategic choice. It goes beyond political parties. It should be the same within the EU. In 2004 Germany (Mr Gerard Schröder) and France (Mr Jacques Chirac) strongly supported Turkey and its EU path and signed for the opening of [...]

EU commissioner skeptical of Turkey’s growth I wonder what Mr Karel De Gucht’s objective is. I didn’t expect such a subjective stance from an EU commissioner. Has he a complex? I quote: Although Turkey has made major progress in growth, its GDP per capita is still lower than the smallest EU member state, said EU [...]

No visa, no signature, says FM Davutoğlu – November 20th 2011 Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said Saturday that Turkey knew the European Union (EU). ISTANBUL- Speaking at the Session of Ministers as part of the “World Turkish Entrepreneurs Congress” in Istanbul, Davutoğlu said that Turkey “was playing with the rules of the EU”. Davutoğlu [...]

This article from The Independent was mentioned on ABHaber today: Less healthcare, but Greece is still buying guns Well Turkey will not attack Greece, but some circles in Greece (such as the so-called religious leaders) and in the EU point their finger at Turkey to justify Greece’s huge military purchases. That is ridiculous. Another propaganda to conceal the [...]

Here is an article from EurActiv Turkey: ‘Türkiye fenomeni’ Milano’da tartışıldı – October 12th 2011 I want to quote Emma Bonino – vice-president of the Italian senate. Emma Bonino emphasised that Turkey has to improve its democracy, such as the role of the Turkish women in the labour force. She then said that the EU [...]

Turkey is a regional power – October 26th 2011 Turkey is an important regional power, Deputy Executive Director of Human Rights Watch said. Speaking to AA, Jan Egeland, Deputy Executive Director and Europe Director of Human Rights Watch, said that western countries had lost power globally, adding that however Turkey’s importance has grown regionally and [...]