EU-Mideast ties

Israel’s Lapid pumps European hands in Brussels

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's enthusiastic connecting in Brussels clearly indicates he intends to reboot Israel’s ties with the European Union.

Rina Bassist | Israel | Jul 12, 2021

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (R) attends the European Union Foreign Ministers' Council in Brussels, Belgium, July 12, 2021.

Erdogan: Turkey will continue oil exploration in disputed eastern Mediterranean

Turkey's president may be upping the ante against Greece, Cyprus and the European Union.

Al-Monitor Staff | Turkey | Jul 4, 2021

Turkey's Oruc Reis seismic research vessel

UAE orders Italy to withdraw forces from base in arms sale row

The Emirates is kicking Italy's forces out of Al Minhad airbase

Al-Monitor Staff | United Arab Emirates | Jun 29, 2021

Lapid calls out Poland for bill limiting Holocaust compensation

Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid objects to Polish legislation designed to limit restitution rights for Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Rina Bassist | Israel | Jun 28, 2021

A woman attends a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust at the Ghetto Heroes Monument in Warsaw, Poland, on Jan. 27, 2021.

EU leaders back funding but warn Erdogan against 'instrumentalizing' Syrian migrants

EU leaders propose further funding to Turkey for Syrian refugees, but, at Greece’s insistence, issue a warning that the bloc “condemns any attempt by third countries to instrumentalize migrants for political purposes.”

Nazlan Ertan | Turkey | Jun 24, 2021

Angela Merkel (2ndR), talks to Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Advocates call for greater focus on democratic rights in Turkey ahead of European summit

As European leaders prepare to review EU-Turkey relations in a summit this week, advocates urged greater links between future cooperation and improvements in basic rights and the rule of law in Turkey.

Diego Cupolo | Turkey | Jun 23, 2021

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic gestures during the European Parliament plenary session to prepare the European Council meeting of June 24-25, in Brussels, on June 23, 2021.

Erdogan’s meeting with Biden more spin than substance

The two leaders' first meeting as heads of state led to detailed discussions, but there were no breakthroughs.

Amberin Zaman | Turkey | Jun 14, 2021

US President Joe Biden (R) speaks with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to a plenary session of a NATO summit at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Brussels, on June 14, 2021.

European Parliament calls for suspension of Turkey accession talks

In a critical report, the European Parliament has suggested suspending Turkey’s long-stalled EU accession negotiations unless negative domestic and foreign policy trends are reversed.

Diego Cupolo | Turkey | May 20, 2021

European countries urge Israel to halt planned settlement expansion

Five foreign ministries call on Israel to scuttle plans to build more West Bank settlements.

Al-Monitor Staff | Israel | May 6, 2021

The cost of Turkey’s grey passport scandal

Turkey’s service passport scandal may be more costly than imagined. On the domestic front, the case is one more sign that organized crime fuels corruption. In the international arena, Turkey is expected to encounter more embarrassment and court cases for smugglers.

Pinar Tremblay | Turkey | May 4, 2021

Fake passports and travel documents are displayed on a table for the press on Dec. 19, 2019, at the Istanbul airport in Turkey.

Turkey sees turning point in failed Cyprus summit

Turkey hopes for British support as it takes on a more hawkish posture on the Cyprus conflict, risking fresh tensions with the European Union.

Metin Gurcan | Turkey | May 3, 2021

A picture taken from the Greek-Cypriot side of the divided Cypriot capital Nicosia on April 24, 2021, shows metal flags of Turkey (L) and the self-declared Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC), recognized only by Ankara, above the Turkish-controlled side of the divided capital.

Greece to loan Patriot missile units to Saudi Arabia

Athens is lending a hand to help defend Saudi Arabia amid continued barrages as the United States moves its assets elsewhere.

Al-Monitor Staff | Saudi Arabia | Apr 21, 2021

Turkey's efforts to woo rivals yield mixed results

Diplomatically isolated and economically weak, Turkey is seeking to repair relations with its regional foes. But it's no easy task.

Amberin Zaman | Turkey | Apr 15, 2021

Greece's Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (C) walks on Istiklal Avenue after his meeting with the Patriarch of Constantinople at the Greek Consulate in Istanbul on April 14, 2021.

EU blacklist of Iran commanders strikes a nerve in Tehran

Tehran said the European Union cannot preach human rights and announced a halt in cooperation with the bloc on fighting terrorism and narcotics after the latter sanctioned Iranian commanders over human rights violations.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 13, 2021

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) meets with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (R) in the capital, Tehran, on Feb. 3, 2020.

Top EU officials seek improved ties, positive agenda in meeting with Erdogan

Focusing on economic cooperation, migration and human rights, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel sought to improve EU-Turkey ties during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on April 6.

Diego Cupolo | Turkey | Apr 6, 2021

EU-Mideast ties

Israel’s Lapid pumps European hands in Brussels

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's enthusiastic connecting in Brussels clearly indicates he intends to reboot Israel’s ties with the European Union.

Erdogan: Turkey will continue oil exploration in disputed eastern Mediterranean

UAE orders Italy to withdraw forces from base in arms sale row

Lapid calls out Poland for bill limiting Holocaust compensation

EU leaders back funding but warn Erdogan against 'instrumentalizing' Syrian migrants

Advocates call for greater focus on democratic rights in Turkey ahead of European summit

Erdogan’s meeting with Biden more spin than substance

European Parliament calls for suspension of Turkey accession talks

European countries urge Israel to halt planned settlement expansion

The cost of Turkey’s grey passport scandal

Turkey sees turning point in failed Cyprus summit

Greece to loan Patriot missile units to Saudi Arabia

Turkey's efforts to woo rivals yield mixed results

EU blacklist of Iran commanders strikes a nerve in Tehran

Top EU officials seek improved ties, positive agenda in meeting with Erdogan

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