NATO chief urges Turkey to let Nordic pair join quickly
February 16, 2023 GMTANKARA (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday urged Turkey to ratify the applications of Finland and Sweden to join the military organization, repeating his claim that the Nordic neighbors have done enough to satisfy Ankara’s demands that they crack down on extremism.
Earthquake diplomacy: Greek foreign minister visits Turkey
February 12, 2023 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek foreign minister Nikos Dendias visited the earthquake-stricken areas of Turkey Sunday, accompanied by his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Live Updates | Turkey, Syria quake is deadliest since 2015
February 8, 2023 GMTThe catastrophic earthquake that razed thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria became one of the deadliest quakes worldwide in more than a decade Wednesday and the death toll kept rising, approaching 12,000.
Turkey says West failed to share details of security threat
February 3, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey for a second day on Friday railed against a group of Western countries that temporarily shut their consulates in Istanbul, accusing them of failing to share information on the security threat that led to the closures and of aiming to cause harm to Turkey.
Turkey favors approving Finland’s NATO bid before Sweden’s
January 30, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey could greenlight Finland’s membership in NATO before that of Sweden, if the military alliance and both Nordic countries agree to it, the Turkish foreign minister said Monday.
Turkey: Sweden complicit in hate crime, NATO talks pointless
January 26, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister on Thursday accused Sweden of being complicit in a "hate and racist” crime for failing to prevent weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam and pro-Kurdish groups.
NATO allies US, Turkey try to mend fences but rifts persist
January 18, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Turkey on Wednesday looked to brush aside differences that have strained relations for years but were unable to report progress in resolving disagreements over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and NATO expansion that have soured ties between the allies.
Turkey’s top diplomat to travel to US amid troubled ties
January 17, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and the United States will aim to smooth out a series of disagreements between the NATO allies when the Turkish foreign minister visits Washington this week.
Turkey: Sweden still has requirements to meet to join NATO
December 22, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey appreciates Sweden's steps so far to get approval to join NATO but it is not even “halfway” through fulfilling the commitments it made to secure Ankara's support, the Turkish foreign minister said Thursday.
Turkey: Sweden’s extradition refusal ‘very negative’
December 20, 2022 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister on Tuesday called the refusal of Sweden’s top court to extradite a man wanted by Turkey a “very negative development,” as Ankara continues to delay Sweden and Finland’s membership in NATO.
Greece slams Turkey’s ‘repeated threats of war’
December 7, 2022 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s foreign ministry has slammed what it called Turkish threats of war, after the Turkish foreign minister threatened to “take action” against Greece in the wake of a military exercise in the Aegean Sea.
Turkey again threatens Greece for arming Aegean islands
December 6, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister on Tuesday renewed threats to “take action” against Greece if it continued to arm its Aegean islands which Ankara says should remain demilitarized in line with international treaties.
Turkey says Finland must end arms embargo to join NATO
December 6, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Finland must publicly declare that it's lifting an arms embargo on Turkey to win Ankara’s approval for its membership to NATO, the Turkish foreign minister said Tuesday.
Mevlut Cavusoglu made the comments ahead of visit by Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen, who will be discussing his nation’s bid to join the military alliance with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar on Thursday.
Turkey: Russia, US failed to clear militia from Syria border
December 2, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister charged Friday that the United States and Russia have failed to meet promises to clear Syria’s border with Turkey of Kurdish militants, forcing Ankara to intervene.
Libya’s Tripoli government signs economic deals with Turkey
October 3, 2022 GMTBENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — One of Libya’s rival governments signed preliminary economic and maritime deals with Turkey on Monday, in a move that has inflamed tensions between it and the North African country’s other administration.
Protests in northern Syria slam Turkish minister’s remarks
August 12, 2022 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Hundreds of Syrian opposition supporters rallied Friday in northwestern Syria, including outside a Turkish army post, to denounce remarks by Turkey’s foreign minister urging for a reconciliation with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Angry Iraqis clash with police over attack blamed on Turkey
July 21, 2022 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Hundreds of angry Iraqis took to the streets late Thursday to decry deadly strikes on an Iraqi tourist resort the previous day that the government has blamed on Turkey. The protests erupted just hours after the families of those killed in the shelling buried their loved ones.
Israeli FM thanks Turkey for foiling attacks on Israelis
June 23, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday thanked Turkish authorities for their cooperation in allegedly foiling attacks against Israeli citizens in Turkey, and warned Israel would not "sit idly by' in the face of threats to its citizens from Iran.
Ireland, Norway, Turkey want UN to extend aid to Syria
June 15, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The foreign ministers of Ireland, Norway and Turkey say aid deliveries from Turkey to rebel-held northwest Syria must continue, warning Wednesday of a humanitarian crisis if the only remaining border gate is closed.
Turkey calls on Greece to demilitarize Aegean islands
June 7, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey on Tuesday called on Greece to withdraw its armed forces from Aegean islands, warning that his country will challenge the status of the islands if it fails to demilitarize them.
No more Turkey: Country in push to be known as ‘Türkiye’
June 2, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has sent a letter to the United Nations formally requesting that his country be referred to as “Türkiye,” the state-run news agency reported.
Turkish FM makes rare visit to Israel as nations mend ties
May 25, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister visited Israel on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to improve ties between the two countries, which have often been bitterly divided in recent years over Turkey's support for the Palestinians.
In West Bank, Turkish FM pledges support for Palestinians
May 24, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister said Tuesday that improved ties with Israel will not come at the expense of its commitment to supporting the Palestinians and the two-state solution to the conflict.
In meeting with US, Turkey gives mixed signals on wider NATO
May 18, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The United States struggled Wednesday to get clarity from Turkey over the severity of its opposition to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took an increasingly tough line against their membership bids.
Official: 8 Turkish citizens kidnapped from bus in Haiti
May 9, 2022 GMTPORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Eight Turkish citizens have been kidnapped in Haiti’s capital, an official told The Associated Press on Monday, apparently the latest in a string of high-profile kidnappings by powerful gangs.
Russia says Turkey warned in advance about Syria flights ban
April 28, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Turkey had warned Russia in advance before moving to bar Russian planes from flying to Syria over its territory, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
The ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said that Turkey had asked Russia more than a month ago not to send Syria-bound planes over its territory.
Prosecutor seeks end to Khashoggi murder trial in Turkey
March 31, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Turkish prosecutor in the case against 26 Saudi nationals charged in the slaying of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi made a surprise request Thursday that their trial in absentia be suspended and the case transferred to Saudi Arabia, raising fears of a possible coverup.
Live updates: Ukraine, Russia continue talks over video
March 17, 2022 GMTLVIV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian and Russian delegations held talks again Wednesday by video.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's adviser Mikhailo Podolyak said Ukraine demanded a cease-fire, the withdrawal of Russian troops and legal security guarantees for Ukraine from a number of countries.
Turkey, Armenia agree to press ahead with mending fences
March 12, 2022 GMTANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Armenia have agreed to press ahead with efforts to establish diplomatic relations “without conditions” and continue the normalization efforts that could lead to the reopening of their shared borders for trade, their foreign ministers said Saturday.
Turkey’s foreign minister tests positive for COVID-19
February 16, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister announced Wednesday that he tested positive for the coronavirus.
Mevlut Cavusoglu, 54, said on Twitter that his symptoms were mild and that he planned to continue to work from home.
Turkey, Armenia to appoint envoys in bid to normalize ties
December 14, 2021 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Armenia will appoint special representatives to discuss steps to normalize their ties, Turkey’s foreign minister said.
Speaking in parliament during a debate over his ministry’s budget late Monday, Mevlut Cavusoglu also said charter flights between Istanbul and Yerevan would restart soon.
Turkey offers to help Lebanon with crisis with Gulf nations
November 16, 2021 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister said Tuesday his country is ready to offer whatever support it can to help mend relations between Lebanon and Gulf Arab nations, embroiled in an unprecedented diplomatic rift.
Afghan Taliban delegation in Turkey for high-level talks
October 14, 2021 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister on Thursday met with a high-level delegation of Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers, officials said, the first such talks since the Taliban takeover of the country in August as U.S.
Turkey: Russia, US failed to restrain Syrian Kurdish militia
October 13, 2021 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister Wednesday accused Russia and the United States of failing to keep to their promise to restrain Syrian Kurdish militia from attacking Turkey. He said Ankara is forced to act to eliminate the threat as a result.
Turkey talks with UN over returning Syrian refugees
September 12, 2021 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey is working with the U.N.’s refugee agency to repatriate Syrians to their home country, the Turkish foreign minister said Sunday.
His comments are at odds with the UNHCR’s overall policy towards returning migrants to Syria, a country that it still considers too dangerous to send refugees back to.
Turkey aims to improve ties with Egypt, UAE
September 7, 2021 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey continued on Tuesday to reach out to regional rivals Egypt and the United Arab Emirates in a renewed bid to mend frayed ties that have stoked regional tensions.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his country was taking “positive steps" to improve relations as Turkish and Egyptian officials were holding a second round of talks in Ankara.
Greek, Turkish leaders to meet in June in bid to mend ties
May 31, 2021 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — The leaders of Greece and Turkey will meet next month on the sidelines of a NATO summit, the two countries’ foreign ministers agreed on Monday, as they seek to mend frayed ties that led to a sharp escalation in tension last year.
Turkey’s foreign minister Cavusoglu begins visit to Greece
May 30, 2021 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Sunday began his trip to Greece with an unofficial visit to the northeastern province of Thrace, where most of Greece’s Muslim minority resides.
Greek PM calls for improved ties with Turkey
May 28, 2021 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s prime minister said Friday his country is seeking improved ties with neighbor and longtime foe Turkey, but that the onus is on Turkey to refrain from what he called “provocations, illegal actions and aggressive rhetoric.”
Turkish FM in Saudi Arabia to mend ties amid regional shifts
May 11, 2021 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Turkey’s top diplomat met with his counterpart in Saudi Arabia Tuesday on his first official trip in years, as the country pushes to repair damaged ties with the kingdom that reached a low point over the 2018 killing in Istanbul of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi...
Turkey seeks better Saudi ties despite Khashoggi slaying
May 10, 2021 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's top envoy is traveling to Saudi Arabia as Turkey seeks to mend ties with the kingdom that hit an all-time low over the 2018 killing in Istanbul of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi...
Libya’s top diplomat urges withdrawal of foreign fighters
May 3, 2021 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Libya’s top diplomat Monday called for the departure of foreign forces and mercenaries from the North African country as it heads toward elections later this year...
Greek, Turkish FMs meet to mend ties, trade barbs instead
April 15, 2021 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A meeting aimed to improve fraught ties between NATO allies Greece and Turkey quickly descended into a tense exchange of accusations between the two neighbors' foreign ministers on Thursday...
Uyghurs in Turkey protest Chinese foreign minister’s visit
March 25, 2021 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Hundreds of Uyghurs staged protests in Ankara and Istanbul on Thursday, denouncing Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Turkey and demanding that the Turkish government take a stronger stance against human rights abuses in China’s far-western Xinjiang region...
US, Turkey remain divided over purchase of Russia’s S-400s
March 24, 2021 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Top U.S. and Turkish diplomats failed on Wednesday to overcome sharp differences over Turkey’s purchase of an advanced Russian air defense system, which Washington sees as a security threat...
Turkish sailors abducted by pirates return home from Nigeria
February 14, 2021 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Fifteen Turkish sailors who were kidnapped by pirates off west Africa last month returned to Turkey on Sunday...
Turkey, US to discuss sanctions imposed over S-400s
December 30, 2020 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and the United States are engaged in talks to form a joint working group that would take up the issue of sanctions that Washington imposed on its ally over its purchase of an advanced Russian air defense system, Turkey’s foreign minister said Wednesday.
Turkey won’t step back on S-400s despite US sanctions
December 17, 2020 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey won’t step back from its decision to deploy Russian air defense systems despite U.S. sanctions imposed on the country over the purchase, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday...
Turkey-backed Syria fighters retaliate for deadly airstrike
October 27, 2020 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Syrian opposition groups allied with Turkey lobbed hundreds of missiles and artillery rockets at government posts in northwestern Syria on Tuesday, in retaliation for a deadly attack that killed dozens of their fighters a day earlier...
Turkish, Swedish ministers trade swipes in tense meeting
October 13, 2020 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Sweden’s foreign minister on Tuesday subtly criticized Turkey over its curbs on freedom of expression, after her Turkish counterpart took a swipe at Stockholm’s policies during a joint news conference that quickly turned tense.
Turkey sends rescue and medical teams after Beirut explosion
August 5, 2020 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey said Wednesday it is sending search and rescue teams along with emergency medical personnel to aid Lebanese authorities in the aftermath of the devastating explosion that killed at least 100 people in Beirut and injured thousands...
Cyprus: EU partners aim to rein in Turkey’s ‘expansionism’
July 7, 2020 GMTNICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus and its European Union partners are working to rein in Turkey’s “expansionist policy” in the eastern Mediterranean amid heightened tensions over an offshore search for hydrocarbons, the island nation's president said Tuesday...
Turkey renews opposition to US sanctions on Iran
June 15, 2020 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey on Monday reiterated its opposition to U.S. sanctions on neighboring Iran, saying the coronavirus pandemic has shown that the world needs greater cooperation and solidarity...
Turkey, Russia to discuss grave situation in Syria’s Idlib
February 15, 2020 GMTMUNICH (AP) — A Turkish delegation will travel to Russia on Monday to discuss the situation in Syria's Idlib province amid mounting fears of a humanitarian disaster there, Turkey's foreign minister said...
Libya ceasefire talks in Moscow adjourned for the night
January 13, 2020 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Talks in Moscow about bringing an end to Libya's long-running civil war have been adjourned for the night after the country's rival governments on Monday considered ceasefire proposals from Russia and Turkey.
Turkey hints it could bar US from using key air bases
December 11, 2019 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister suggested Wednesday that the United States could be barred from using two strategic air bases in retaliation to possible U.S. sanctions against his country, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Turkey calls on NATO to support its security concerns
November 28, 2019 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister has called on NATO to support Ankara’s security concerns, accusing allies of backing Baltic countries' security concerns but dismissing threats to Turkey from Syrian Kurdish fighters...
Turkish minister says govt will respond to any US sanctions
July 22, 2019 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister has reiterated that the country intends to respond to any U...
Turkish FM visits Iraq to discuss trade, water
April 28, 2019 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister is in Iraq to discuss trade, border security and water resources.
The two-day visit beginning Sunday will include stops in the autonomous Kurdish region and Basra, Iraq's main oil hub.
Turkish minister says Russian defense system buy a ‘done deal’ despite U.S. warnings
April 3, 2019 GMTTurkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday Ankara is determined to go ahead with the purchase of a Russian-made S-400 missile defense system despite strong objections from the Trump administration and other NATO allies.