Europe

Germany says: Turkish think tank SETA disseminating pro-AKP propaganda in Europe – Turkish Minute

By ::· Germany, News, Turkey ::· January 9, 2021

[…] According to DW, the German government also stated that a SETA report titled “International Media Outlets’ Operations in Turkey” that was published in July 2019 served to pressure the Turkish government’s opponents.[…]

[…] The SETA report, which analyzed foreign news outlets’ coverage of the July 2016 coup attempt and the AKP’s subsequent crackdown, drew strong criticism from journalists, press unions, foreign media outlets and critics, who accused the pro-government think tank of profiling journalists through methods used by the Turkish police for gathering intelligence.

The German government also revealed in November 2019, in response to a parliamentary inquiry questioning the financial sources of SETA, that the foundation was funded mainly by the family of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son-in-law and former Finance and Treasury Minister Berat Albayrak. […]

Greece submits bill on western territorial waters extension – Reuters

By ::· Greece, News ::· January 9, 2021

ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s conservative government has submitted a bill to parliament to extend the western limit of its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea to 12 nautical miles, following negotiations with its regional neighbours Italy and Albania. FILE PHOTO: Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias attends the foreign affairs ministers council in Brussels, Belgium …

Greece submits bill on western territorial waters extension – Reuters Read More »

Priceless value of Turkey’s partnership – Daily Sabah

By ::· Analyses, Europe, News, Propaganda, Turkey, United States ::· January 9, 2021

If both the U.S. and the EU were not following double standards in their ties with Turkey and lent the importance to the country that it deserves, today’s alliances would be much more powerful.

Turkey’s redlines were ignored many times by both the EU and the U.S. For example, the Greek Cypriot administration violated all international norms and agreements by rejecting the U.N. plan for Cyprus; however, it was still accepted as an EU member. However, this very EU created many obstacles for Turkey’s membership process.

Greece, Israel Seal $1.6 Billion Defense Deal – Voice of America

By ::· Greece, Israel, News, Security ::· January 9, 2021

ATHENS, GREECE – Greece said Tuesday it had approved a landmark $1.68 billion deal with Israel, providing for the procurement of 10 state-of-the-art jet fighters and training of pilots as the government in Athens upgrades its defenses, mainly against its longtime foe Turkey. The deal, which both sides are set to sign in the coming …

Greece, Israel Seal $1.6 Billion Defense Deal – Voice of America Read More »

Anti-Turkey rhetoric within EU sabotages bloc’s future, ruling AK Party says – Daily Sabah

By ::· Europe, News, Propaganda, Turkey ::· January 9, 2021

Whoever speaks against Turkey in the European Union actually seeks to destroy Europe’s future, the spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling party said Monday. Accusing some European leaders of taking a different approach when trying “to cause disturbances in Turkey,” Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik said after a meeting of the party’s Central …

Anti-Turkey rhetoric within EU sabotages bloc’s future, ruling AK Party says – Daily Sabah Read More »

Greece’s Orthodox Church defies Epiphany lockdown order – Reuters

By ::· Greece, News, Religion ::· January 4, 2021

ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s Orthodox Church said on Monday it would defy a government lockdown order imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus and open churches to the faithful during the Epiphany celebration on Jan. 6. Greece tightened coronavirus curbs for a week from Sunday and reversed an earlier decision to allow Epiphany services …

Greece’s Orthodox Church defies Epiphany lockdown order – Reuters Read More »

In Eastern Europe, Flawed Cybersecurity Is a Ticking Time Bomb for NATO – Foreign Policy

By ::· Analyses, Europe, News, Security ::· January 4, 2021

Cyberattacks in North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey reveal that government defenses are weak—and many NATO members are at risk. On the night of July 15, 2020, the Balkan nation of North Macedonia was anxiously awaiting the preliminary results of its parliamentary election. Soon after the polls closed, in what was first believed to be …

In Eastern Europe, Flawed Cybersecurity Is a Ticking Time Bomb for NATO – Foreign Policy Read More »

Germany trains its own imams to cut risk of extremism – Independent.ie

By ::· Germany, News, Religion, Secularism/Islam, Turkey ::· January 4, 2021

At Friday prayers, the area around Berlin’s Sehitlik mosque can seem like a forgotten corner of Istanbul. It’s not just the traditional Ottoman mosque, complete with dome, twin minarets and pierced screens, or the fact that many of the older faithful greet each other in Turkish. Even the sermon, as it crackles over the loudspeakers, …

Germany trains its own imams to cut risk of extremism – Independent.ie Read More »

Southern Gas Corridor to strengthen economic, political and geostrategic co-op – Trend

By ::· Caucasus, Economy, Europe, News, Turkey ::· January 3, 2021

The Southern Gas Corridor, which will supply Caspian gas to Europe via Turkey, will turn Azerbaijan and Turkey into a strategic energy corridor, Murat Akan, international trade operation specialist in Turkey, told Trend. “Natural gas has entered its golden age, because it has gained geopolitical importance and has become a constant element of international policies. …

Southern Gas Corridor to strengthen economic, political and geostrategic co-op – Trend Read More »

U.K.-Turkish trade agreement ignores Turkey’s human rights abuses – Ahval

By ::· Economy, News, Turkey, United Kingdom ::· January 3, 2021

The United Kingdom’s new trade deal with Turkey ignores the Turkish government’s continuing human rights abuses and should have been scrutinised by British parliament, Guardian columnist Simon Tisdall wrote in an opinion piece published on Sunday. The agreement also boosts Turkey’s “dangerous” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and undermines pledges by the British government that “global …

U.K.-Turkish trade agreement ignores Turkey’s human rights abuses – Ahval Read More »

‘Global Britain’ is willing to trade away everything. Including scruples – The Guardian

By ::· Economy, Europe, News, Turkey, United Kingdom ::· January 3, 2021

The UK’s new trade agreement with Turkey, signed last week, ignores the Turkish government’s continuing human rights abuses, boosts its dangerous president, and undermines ministerial pledges that “global Britain” will uphold international laws and values. The deal took effect on 1 January without even rudimentary parliamentary scrutiny. Here, stripped of lies and bombast, is the …

‘Global Britain’ is willing to trade away everything. Including scruples – The Guardian Read More »

President-elect to Ecumenical Patriarch: We need your leadership – Orthodox Times

By ::· Cyprus, Greece, News, Religion, Turkey, United States ::· January 3, 2021

US President-elect Joe Biden has sent a reply letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressing his warm thanks for the congratulations letter sent by the Ecumenical Patriarch immediately after his election victory. In his letter, Joe Biden states: Your Holiness, Thank you for your kind words and wishes. I’m sorry because we have not yet had …

President-elect to Ecumenical Patriarch: We need your leadership – Orthodox Times Read More »