The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it does not accept “at all linking progress in relations between Turkey and the European Union to the Cyprus issue.”

This came in a statement issued by the Ministry regarding the results of the European Union leaders’ summit on April 17 and 18 in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

The Ministry considered the decisions adopted regarding Turkey to be “a new example of the European Union’s lack of strategic vision regarding Turkey and global developments.”

It noted that the results of the summit stressed that establishing a relationship of cooperation and mutual benefit with Türkiye is a strategic interest of the European Union.

It said: “On the other hand, the failure to take concrete decisions regarding the recommendations contained in the joint report on relations between the European Union and Turkey prepared by the Vice-President of the European Commission, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, and the European Commission is a major contradiction.”

It added: “Linking the Cyprus issue to progress in relations between Turkey and the European Union will never be acceptable to us, and the approach that limits the multifaceted relations between Turkey and the European Union to the Cyprus issue must be abandoned.”

It stressed that “such a mentality cannot make a positive and constructive contribution to resolving the Cyprus issue or other regional and global issues.”

It stressed that Turkey is still determined to join the European Union, adding: “However, we refuse to limit our cooperation to certain areas through a selective approach, and we will discuss our dialogue with the European Union within the framework of reciprocity according to the speed, level and scope of the Union’s steps towards Turkey in the coming period.” .

The European Union announced that it has a strategic interest in developing a mutually beneficial cooperation relationship with Turkey, and that it “attaches great importance” to the resumption of Cyprus negotiations in this context.

This came in the part related to relations with Turkey in the final statement of the European Union summit held on Wednesday in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

“The European Union has a strategic interest in developing a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and developing a mutually beneficial cooperation relationship with Turkey,” the statement stated.

It pointed out that “Turkey’s constructive participation will be useful in advancing the various areas of cooperation identified in the joint report submitted by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, with the European Union Commission in November 2023.”

The statement stressed, “Attributing great importance to the resumption and progress of the Cyprus negotiations, which could also lead to improving cooperation between the European Union and Turkey.”

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European Council President Charles Michel said that the European Union agreed to establish “positive and stable” relations with Turkey.

This came in statements to journalists on Wednesday at the conclusion of the sessions of the first day of the European Union summit held in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Michel noted that European Union leaders wanted to hold a strategic discussion on relations with Turkey and that they reached a consensus at the end of the session.

He continued: “We want to establish positive relations with Turkey and develop stable relations. We want to work in a gradual and proportionate approach.”

Regarding Cyprus, Michel stressed that the situation on the island is very important.

He added: “We are particularly concerned with the situation in Cyprus, especially with regard to the solution path conducted by the United Nations.”

Since 1974, the island of Cyprus has been divided between two parts: the Turkish in the north and the Roman in the south. In 2004, the Greek Cypriots rejected a plan presented by the United Nations to unify the two parts of the island.

Since the collapse of the UN-sponsored Cyprus reunification talks in Switzerland in July 2017, no formal UN-brokered negotiations have taken place to settle the conflict on the island.​​​​​​

On Wednesday, the European Union announced in the final statement of the summit that it has a strategic interest in developing a stable and safe environment in the eastern Mediterranean and developing a mutually beneficial cooperation relationship with Turkey.

The statement stressed, “Attributing great importance to the resumption and progress of the Cyprus negotiations, which could also lead to improving cooperation between the European Union and Turkey.”

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Turkey attracted direct international investments worth $240 million last February.

This was stated in the “Bulletin of International Direct Investments in Numbers” published by the International Investors Association (YASED) on Wednesday.

Investment capital flows amounted to $217 million, and real estate sales to foreign citizens amounted to $152 million.

Subtracting the downside effect of divestments worth $15 million and debt instruments worth $114 million, international direct investments flowing into Turkey in February amounted to $240 million.

Ireland ranked first in direct international investments with 18 percent, followed by Germany with 15 percent, then the UAE with 13 percent, Italy with 10 percent, and Sweden with 8 percent.

The European Union countries’ proportion of direct international investments reached 61 percent of total investments in February.

The total value of foreign direct investments in Turkey since 2002 has reached more than $264 billion.

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The Turkish authorities imposed on nationals of 10 countries to obtain an electronic visa to transit airports during their destination to Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela from Istanbul International Airport.

Turkey is considered a transit country to final destinations, and is among the most active countries in combating irregular migration, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

The Turkish authorities intensified inspections within the framework of international aviation rules due to the increase in the number of migrants heading to North America via Central and Latin American countries, taking advantage of air transportation offers via Istanbul, according to the same sources.

Last March, Turkish Airlines warned travelers to Latin American countries that “some additional controls may be applied in addition to the general rules.”

In this context, Turkish diplomatic sources reported that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has completed the necessary preparations to launch the electronic airport transit (transit) visa.

The transit visa was included in Chapter 24 of Justice, Freedom and Security in the negotiations to join the European Union, and it constitutes one of the criteria within the scope of the negotiations to liberalize entry visas for Turks to the European Union countries.

The sources confirmed that Turkey imposed on citizens of India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, Somalia, Cameroon, Mauritania and Yemen heading to Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela via Istanbul Airport the requirement to obtain a transit visa, as of April 15.

The electronic transit visa can be obtained free of charge online from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “evisa.gov.tr” portal starting April 15, 2024.

Travelers must enter their personal information, residence address information and ticket numbers correctly when obtaining the e-visa.

Transit passengers at Istanbul Airport must also carry a printed copy of their transit visas.

The post Turkey imposes a “transit visa” for destinations in South America appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

For the tenth year in a row, Turkey maintained first place in the world in wheat flour exports by the end of 2022.

According to information, global wheat production reached 773 million tons in the 2020-2021 season, an increase of 1.4 percent compared to the previous season.

The reason for this is the increased production of some countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Australia, and Canada.

Production reached 781 million tons in the 2021-2022 season thanks to an increase in China, the European Union, Australia, India and Ukraine.

Turkey is among the countries in the world that can meet its own consumption in wheat production.

While wheat production in the country reached 22 million tons last year, Turkey ranked first in the world by exporting approximately 3.7 million tons of flour in this period.

On the other hand, according to the latest World Bank data, Turkey continued to rank first in wheat flour exports in the period between 2013-2022.

Turkey exported 2.1 million tons of wheat flour in 2013, and exports continued to increase until 2016, when they reached 3.5 million tons.

Although exports declined between 2017 and 2021, this did not affect Turkey’s leading position in global exports.

Turkish flour exports recorded 3.1 million tons in 2022.

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On Tuesday, Israel expressed its regret over the European Commission’s decision to allocate 50 million euros to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Lior Khayat, spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a post on the X platform:

“On the European Commission’s decision to allocate 50 million euros to UNRWA before the UN investigative committees finish their work and present their conclusions and recommendations.

It is an unfortunate decision that legitimizes the involvement of UNRWA employees in terrorist activities and cooperation with Hamas,” he said.

He added that in the coming weeks, “Israel will provide all the information in its possession to the sponsoring countries and to the United Nations investigation committees.”

Once again, Tel Aviv called on “the European Commission and other donor countries to stop their contributions to UNRWA.”

On January 26, several countries, including the United States and the European Union, decided to suspend their funding to UNRWA.

This is based on Israel’s allegations that 12 agency employees participated in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, on Israeli settlements adjacent to the Gaza Strip.

But the European Commission announced last Friday that it intends to “fund the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) with 50 million euros next week (currently).”

On the other hand, Khayyat claimed that “Israel is obligated to deliver humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza.

It works with other UN agencies and entities to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Khayyat’s statements contradict international appeals regarding the decrease in the volume of aid entering the Strip, which has been suffering from a fierce Israeli war for 5 months.

This was exacerbated by the decline in UNRWA’s financial conditions against the backdrop of Israeli allegations and decisions to stop funding.

While UNRWA announced the opening of an investigation into the Israeli allegations to determine the facts, Israel is still pressing to liquidate and erase the UN agency.

Quantify and transfer responsibility for Palestinian refugees to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Since last October 7, Israel has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, leaving tens of thousands of victims, most of them children and women.

In addition to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, according to Palestinian and UN statements, which led to Israel being brought before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the European Union is not an alternative to NATO.

This is with regard to European security, emphasizing the importance of Türkiye to NATO’s southern wing.

This came in statements he made to reporters on Thursday, prior to the meeting of NATO defense ministers in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Stoltenberg also expressed his welcome for European members of NATO to make more investments in the field of defense, which NATO has called for for many years.

He pointed out that NATO also calls on its European allies to invest more in advanced capabilities and make more of their forces highly prepared.

He explained that the allies in Europe are responding to this matter, “but this is not an alternative to NATO, but rather a way to strengthen it.”

He stressed the need not to resort to any means that suggest that the alliance is trying to separate Europe from North America.

Stoltenberg pointed out that the share of allied countries other than European Union countries in NATO’s defense expenditures amounts to 80 percent.

 In addition, he stated, “It’s not just about resources but also about geography.

If you look to the south you will see Turkey, which is not a member of the European Union but is important to our southern flank.”

He stressed that there are countries such as Norway and Iceland in the north, and although they are not major military powers, they are important in terms of transatlantic communication.

The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are not members of the European Union, but they are important to Europe’s security.

 He continued: “Therefore, the strength of NATO lies in our bringing Europe and North America together.”

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European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday that the EU mission’s planned mission to the Red Sea was “purely defensive.”

It aims to protect commercial ships from attacks by the Yemeni “Houthi” group.

This came during Borrell’s speech at the Third Ministerial Forum of the European Union and the Indo-Pacific Region, which began in the morning in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

“Disrupting freedom of navigation has consequences that go beyond economic losses,” Borrell said. “It is not just a matter of (spending) a few days or a few extra dollars, it is a matter of peace and stability.”

During the past months, the Houthis carried out attacks against commercial ships passing through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

International shipping companies were forced to reroute their flights via the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa instead of the Red Sea, which increased shipping costs and the prices of goods.

Borrell added: “For this reason, we are actively working with our international partners to restore maritime security in the Red Sea.

We are progressing in work on a new naval operation that we have called ASPIDES, which is an ancient name from the Greek language and means shield.”

He pointed out that the mission of the European operation differs from the US-led “Prosperity Sentinel” operation, which includes attacks against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Borrell said that the goal of the European operation “is not to launch any attack, but only defense,” adding that the mission “will deploy at sea and will not carry out any operation on land.”

On January 31, Borrell announced a naval mission called “Aspides” to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea against Houthi attacks, which will officially launch by February 19.

At an intermittent pace since January 12, a US-led coalition has been launching raids that it says target “Houthi sites” in various regions of Yemen.

This was in response to its attacks in the Red Sea, which was met with a response from the group from time to time.

And “in solidarity with the Gaza Strip,” which has been subjected to a devastating Israeli war with American support since October 7, 2023.

The Houthis target, with missiles and drones, cargo ships in the Red Sea that are owned or operated by Israeli companies or that transport goods to and from Israel.

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Borrell stressed the need to protect civilians in Gaza and said: “The repercussions of forced displacement are absolutely unacceptable.” This was about Israel wanting to send Gazans to other countries.

Israeli MP Danny Danon, a member of the Likud Party, reported in Newsweek magazine on December 15 that he had published the so-called five-item plan.

Including “offering the opportunity of ‘voluntary immigration’ to Gazans,” in the article Danon also compared Palestinians to “Nazis.”

According to the Israeli newspaper Hayom, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said regarding the Palestinians in Gaza during his meeting with representatives of the Likud Party on December 26:

“Our problem is the countries that are ready to receive refugees, and we are working to solve this problem,” and he used the following statements:

“We have partners in the world who will help us,” right-wing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said on January 1 in a blog post on his platform regarding Palestinian settlement.

The post The EU about “Gaza”: Forcing displacement is unacceptable appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country’s universities are open to world scholars defending the Gaza Strip who are facing pressure in their current universities.

This came in a speech he delivered on Wednesday during an event distributing scientific and academic awards at the Presidential Complex in the capital, Ankara.

He added that scholars “who acknowledge the existence of injustice in Gaza are today exposed to pressure and threats, just as was the case in Nazi Germany 80 years ago.”

Erdogan appealed to scholars “who are under pressure because of their defense of human dignity” in Gaza, addressing them by saying: “The doors of Turkish universities are wide open to you.”

The Turkish President also stressed that “all organizations that work as advocates for democracy, from the Security Council to media institutions, and from the European Union to press organizations, have failed the Gaza test.”

It is noteworthy that the President of the American University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, announced her resignation this December after days of criticism and pressure following her testimony in a US Congressional hearing about accusations of “increasing anti-Semitism” on campus.

Former presidents of Harvard University also announced their support for the current president, Claudine Gay, who announced her resignation after being criticized for considering that the pro-Palestine demonstrations fall within the scope of “freedom of thought.”

In a related context, Erdogan said, “Institutions that pay lip service and spend huge sums of money become absolutely worthless when the talk is about Israel and its injustice.”

Erdogan criticized the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in this regard, asking: “What is the difference between you (Netanyahu and his army) and what (German Nazi leader) Hitler did? What Netanyahu is doing is much more terrible than what Hitler did.”

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