EU divisions over Israel-Palestine leave Brussels powerless as conflict worsens
EU foreign affairs ministers on Tuesday will discuss the seemingly urgent question of what their governments and Brussels can do to help end the latest deadly violence between Israel and the...
View ArticleCyprus’ conservatives cling to top spot as far right surges in parliament vote
Cyprus’ ruling center-right Democratic Rally clung to its top spot in Sunday’s parliamentary election, but lost significant ground amid voter discontent over corruption scandals that fueled the rise...
View ArticleEU launches legal action against Malta, Cyprus over ‘golden passports’
The European Commission on Tuesday launched infringement procedures against Cyprus and Malta over their so-called “golden passport” schemes. The programs, which enable investors to effectively buy EU...
View ArticleFrance recalls ambassador after Erdoğan attacks Macron over Islam
France recalled its ambassador to Turkey on Saturday after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that Emmanuel Macron needs “mental treatment” over his view of Islam, news agencies reported. Erdoğan...
View ArticleNational governments spurn loan portion of EU recovery fund
After loading up an economic bazooka to counter the impact of the coronavirus, some EU countries are hesitating over using a significant part of the ammunition. EU leaders in July agreed on a €750...
View ArticleEU mulls trade action against Turkey
Brussels says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has contravened the spirit of trade arrangements with the EU by calling for a boycott of French products, and is now weighing its potential...
View ArticlePeace activists see hopes for unified Cyprus fading
For Cypriots dreaming of reunification, this year has been tough. First, the coronavirus pandemic prompted the Greek Cypriot government to close off crossing points between the two sides of the...
View ArticleCyprus brings in new coronavirus measures, including curfew
The government of Cyprus on Wednesday announced fresh measures aimed at curbing an increase in coronavirus infections, including a nighttime curfew. “The lifting of most of the restrictive measures...
View ArticleErdoğan calls for ‘two-state’ solution for Cyprus
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for a “two-state” solution in Cyprus during a high-profile visit to the Turkish-Cypriot north of the island on Sunday. “There are two separate peoples,...
View ArticleGermany to Turkey: Calm tensions or face EU sanctions
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged Turkey on Thursday to stop provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean or face potential EU sanctions next month, indicating that Berlin is increasingly losing...
View ArticleErdoğan insists Turkey is part of Europe, but won’t tolerate ‘attacks’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he sees Turkey as part of Europe, but stressed that Ankara will not give in to “attacks” and “double standards,” amid months of tensions with Brussels. “We...
View ArticleGreece blasts Berlin for shunning plea for Turkey arms embargo
ATHENS — Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias accused Germany of failing to live up to its leadership role in the EU by rejecting pleas from Athens to impose an arms embargo on Turkey. “I really fail...
View ArticleEU leaders to line up new sanctions on Turkey at summit
EU leaders will ask for the preparation of additional sanctions against Turkey over the country’s drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to a draft of European Council summit...
View ArticleEU leaders move toward sanctioning Turkey
EU leaders are seeking additional sanctions against Turkey over the country’s “unauthorized drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean,” according to the final European Council summit...
View ArticleMerkel’s report card: Grading Germany’s EU presidency
Germany labeled its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU with the slogan “Together for Europe’s recovery.” And indeed, as Berlin hands the EU leadership baton to Portugal, many say its...
View ArticleCyprus set for second coronavirus lockdown
Cyprus is to go back into lockdown in a bid to curb an aggressive rise in coronavirus infections. From Sunday until January 31, businesses such as hairdressers, beauty salons and department stores...
View ArticleCommission to EU countries: Get with the vaccine program
Brussels wants EU countries to cut the finger-pointing and get vaccinating. After spending most of January defending its vaccine deals and the slow roll-out of jabs, the Commission upped the ante...
View ArticleTurkish charm offensive puts EU in tight spot
A charm offensive by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has put the EU in a bind over whether to press ahead with further sanctions against Ankara. After months of tensions with Turkey, EU leaders...
View ArticleEU and Turkey call for concrete actions to improve relations
Turkey and the EU signalled a slight brightening of relations on Thursday, after a year of tensions that had left Brussels pondering new sanctions. The hint of a thaw came at a meeting between Josep...
View ArticleTurkish foreign minister: New EU sanctions ‘will ruin everything’
If the EU decides to impose further sanctions against Turkey it will ruin the dialogue between Ankara and Brussels, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. However, if the EU opts to avoid...
View Article