Europe News EU's Michel 'hasn't slept well' since chair gaffe in Turkey Footage shows the awkward moment Michel and Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took the two top seats, leaving von der Leyen left wondering where she should sit. Eventually, she withdrew to a sofa, some distance from the two men. 08/04/2021
Europe News Gaffe as EU's Von der Leyen left without chair as male leaders look on The incident comes with Turkey under the spotlight over women's rights after withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty on preventing domestic violence. 07/04/2021
Turkey Turkey rejects criticism of its handling of ongoing student protests Students have been protesting the appointment of an Erdogan loyalist as the rector of Istanbul's prestigious Bogazici University, with some demonstrations resulting in clashes with security forces. 04/02/2021
Turkey Erdogan wants to draft a new 'civilian' constitution for Turkey The president said Turkey's current constitution contains "indelible" traces of the "military tutelage". 01/02/2021
The Cube Turkey bans advertising on Twitter, Pinterest under social media law NGOs have warned that social networks risk "becoming instruments of state censorship" in Turkey under the legislation. 19/01/2021
Turkey Turkey to bring in the new year with a new COVID-19 lockdown The short lockdown will begin on New Years Eve and last until the morning of January 4, the president has announced. 15/12/2020
Turkey Turkey orders arrest of 304 over suspected ties to aborted 2016 coup Following the coup attempt, President Erdogan and his government instigated purges of the military and civil society on an unprecedented scale in modern Turkish history. 08/12/2020
Turkey Turkey's Erdogan says he hopes France gets rid of Emmanuel Macron Ramping up the ongoing war of words between the two leaders, the Turkish president said Macron was "trouble" for France. 04/12/2020
Turkey Hundreds of army personnel jailed for life over Turkey's failed coup They were accused of directing the coup and bombing key government buildings, including a section of the parliament building. 26/11/2020
The Cube Turkish law tightening rules on social media comes into effect Critics say the restrictions are a part of a government crackdown on freedom of expression. 01/10/2020
Turkey Severe flash floods in northern Turkey kills seven people A massive search and rescue operation is underway in Turkey's Black sea region after flooding washed away roads and buildings. 24/08/2020
Turkey Turkey is converting another former Byzantine church into a mosque As with the Hagia Sophia, the decision is seen as being geared to consolidate the conservative and religious support base of Erdogan's ruling party at a time when his popularity is under strain. 21/08/2020
Turkey Hagia Sophia opens for first Muslim prayers in 86 years The former Byzantine cathedral, which was until this month a museum and Istanbul's top tourist attraction, will open for the first time in 86 years for Friday prayers. 24/07/2020
View Turkey's decision to remove Hagia Sophia's universal status is a new provocation of Europe ǀ View The controversial decision to strip the Hagia Sophia of its status as a symbol of interfaith and intercultural co-operation is yet another hammer blow to EU-Turkish relations. 23/07/2020
Turkey Hagia Sophia: Church body appeals for mosque decision to be reversed The head of the World Council of Churches has appealed to the Turkish president to reversed the decision to turn the former Orthodox Christian cathedral from a museum into a mosque. 11/07/2020
Europe News The Brief: Erdogan's ultimatum, coronavirus concerns and migration Monday marks 100 days of Ursual von der Leyen's team in office, and while they set clear goals in terms of climate, digital and gender, events regarding migration, COVID-19 and foreign policy have overtaken the European Commission. 09/03/2020
Belgium EU and Turkey agree to review 2016 migration deal In 2016, Turkey was promised up to 6 billion euros in aid for the more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees it hosts, as well as fast-tracked EU membership. Now, the EU and Turkey will review the deal. 09/03/2020
Europe News Turkey calls for EU help as bloc scrambles for Greek border solutions Turkey has called for more help with migrants after 'opening the door' and causing increased movement on the Greek border. Meanwhile, NGOs slam the EU for what they see as a lack of humanitarian response. 05/03/2020
Europe News NATO anniversary: the three personalities to watch A low-key gathering in London could lead to rhetorical fireworks as the military alliance marks its 70th anniversary. 03/12/2019
Turkey Boris Johnson's ancestral Turkish village 'proud' over him becoming PM The new British leader's great-great-grandfather was born in Kalfat, in central Turkey, in 1813. 26/07/2019
Turkey Imamoglu, Turkey's quiet force challenging President Erdogan Running under the slogan "Everything will be fine", Ekrem Imamoglu confirmed his victory as Istanbul mayor on Sunday. His supporters already see him challenge Erdogan in the 2023 presidential election. 24/06/2019
Europe News 'I've got to stay away': Barbaros Sansal talks life outside of Turkey Barbaros Sansal made the decision to start a new life in Belgium after being attacked and imprisoned last year for posting a critical video on social media. 09/10/2018
no comment Watch: German city removes statue of Turkish president The statue was removed on Wednesday, with authorities saying it had become a security risk. 29/08/2018
Europe News Syria conflict: 'Bigger role' for EU? As the leaders of Turkey, Iran and Russia prepare to meet in Ankara, how far can the EU go in helping to resolve the war? 03/04/2018
Europe News 'Turkey needs Europe, Europe needs Turkey' What next for Brussels-Ankara relations, as both sides meet for a summit in Bulgaria? 26/03/2018
Europe News Will Turkey-EU summit help heal wounds? Turkey's president hopes to remove obstacles in stalled membership bid at summit in Bulgaria's Black Sea resort of Varna 26/03/2018
