Tag: Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkey to set up Syria ‘security zone’ after Trump call

by Fulya OZERKAN Agence France-Presse ISTANBUL, Turkey – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Ankara would set up a “security zone” in northern Syria suggested by US President Donald Trump. Erdogan’s comments came a day after he had a telephone conversation with Trump to ease tensions after the US leader threatened to “devastate” the Turkish economy if Ankara attacks Kurdish forces in Syria. Turkey has welcomed Washington’s planned withdrawal of some 2,000 US […]

Erdogan takes on new powers, names son-in-law finance chief

by Raziye Akkoc and Stuart Williams in Istanbul Agence France-Presse ANKARA, Turkey – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday took on greater powers than any Turkish leader for decades as he was sworn in for a second presidential term, naming his son-in-law to the key post of finance minister in a revamped cabinet. Erdogan, who has already transformed Turkey in 15 years of rule, took his oath of office in parliament under the new presidential […]

Erdogan wins increased powers as rival concedes defeat

by Stuart Williams with Raziye Akkoc in Ankara Agence France-Presse ISTANBUL, Turkey – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday celebrated winning sweeping new powers in a decisive election victory, as his main rival accepted the outcome despite complaints over an unequal campaign that alarmed the EU. A night of triumph for Erdogan saw the man who has dominated Turkey for the last 15 years declared winner of Sunday’s presidential poll without needing a second […]

Turks mobilize to ensure fair play in tight poll

by Gokan Gunes © Agence France-Presse ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — One hundred people listen to presentations crammed into a room in Istanbul, defying the oppressive summer heat and attentively taking notes. Their aim — to ensure Sunday’s elections in Turkey are not marred by election fraud. Opposition parties, associations and members of the public have united in an unprecedented way to organise monitoring of the polling stations to check for any irregularities. With President Recep Tayyip […]

Erdogan urges quick EU decision on membership bid

ANKARA, Turkey (AFP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday it would be “easier” if the EU blocked Ankara’s bid to join the bloc, suggesting he could even hold a referendum on the matter. It was the latest barb in the bitter dispute between Turkey and Europe after Germany and The Netherlands blocked Turkish ministers from campaigning among expats for a “yes” vote in next month’s referendum on boosting Erdogan’s powers. “What? If a […]

Putin in Turkey to push energy deals despite Syria crisis

by Stuart WILLIAMS ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Turkey on Monday for talks with counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pushing forward ambitious joint energy projects as the two sides try to overcome a crisis in ties. Only a few months ago, Putin and Erdogan were exchanging acrimonious accusations over Syria. But the pair are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the planned TurkStream gas pipeline to pump Russian gas under the Black […]

Erdogan tells West ‘mind your own business’ as journalists jailed

by Stuart WILLIAMS Raziye AKKOC ANKARA, Turkey (AFP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday told the EU and US to “mind your own business” after the West expressed alarm over the growing crackdown against suspected coup plotters, as a court placed 17 journalists under arrest. Turkey has detained more than 18,000 people over the coup which Ankara blames on the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, with the relentless crackdown sparking warnings from Brussels that […]

Erdogan critics glad coup failed, fearful of backlash

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) by Fulya OZERKAN Three years ago, critics of Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan rallied against him in mass protests. Last Friday they were appalled by a coup attempt against him. Now they fear what may come next. A gloomy mood pervades Istanbul’s chic, secular neighbourhood of Besiktas, a left-wing stronghold and centre of opposition against Erdogan. While most here have no taste for military rule and are grateful the putsch failed, they are […]