Turkey and the EU

Latest business news about Turkey and the European Union

• Turkey country profile

Turkey urges EU to 'play the game' in membership talks — 30 June 2009, 18:00 CET

Turkey on Tuesday opened another chapter in its long and torturous quest to join the European Union, urging its future partners to drop political considerations and "play the game by its rules".

EU to help Turkey face up to illegal migration: Barrot — 30 June 2009, 18:02 CET

The European Commission will financially assist Turkey to stop a growing flow of illegal immigration crossing into the bloc through its territory, the EU's top justice official said on Tuesday.

Turkey to reopen Orthodox school shut 38 years ago: report — 28 June 2009, 13:54 CET

Turkey is planning to re-open a Greek Orthodox seminary that was shut down nearly four decades ago, Turkey's culture minister was quoted as saying Sunday.

Turkish parliament curbs military courts — 27 June 2009, 19:30 CET

Turkey's parliament has passed legislation to curb the powers of military courts, a long-standing European Union demand, amid renewed political turmoil between the army and the government.

Turkish PM seeks to revitalise EU membership bid — 26 June 2009, 16:44 CET

Turkey's prime minister sought Friday to revitalise its EU membership bid, bogged down amid opposition from Paris and Berlin on top of historical differences over Cyprus.

Turkish EU entry would be strong sign to Muslims: minister — 25 June 2009, 18:14 CET

Showing that Turkey has a future in the European Union would send a positive message to the whole Muslim world, the country's European affairs minister said on Thursday.

France's new Europe minister says no to Turkey EU membership — 24 June 2009, 19:29 CET

France's new minister for Europe, who has previously said he wanted Turkey to join the EU, said Wednesday he would carry out his government's policy of keeping Ankara out of the bloc.

Erdogan slams EU over Turkey's accession bid — 22 June 2009, 14:07 CET

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that European hostility towards Turkey's EU bid has caused a "serious erosion" in the country's enthusiasm in the accession process.

Cyprus protests against Turkish war games in north — 17 June 2009, 19:58 CET

The Cyprus government said on Wednesday that it has protested to the United Nations and European Union over Turkish search and rescue exercises in the breakaway north of the divided island.

Obama disagrees with Sarkozy on Turkey EU bid — 07 June 2009, 00:11 CET

US President Barack Obama urged Europe on Saturday to reach out to Muslims around the world as he again disagreed with French President Nicolas Sarkozy over Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

Ankara slams anti-Turkish campaigns in EU vote — 05 June 2009, 13:43 CET

Turkey on Friday slammed European parties campaigning against its EU membership bid in European Parliament elections, accusing them of "fanning xenophobia."

Britain seeks 'urgent' Cyprus solution, backs Turkey's EU bid — 27 May 2009, 21:54 CET

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Wednesday the Cyprus conflict requires an "urgent" settlement as he reassured Turkey that Britain stands firm by its bid to join the European Union.

Turkey urges speeding up Cyprus talks, rejects EU link — 21 May 2009, 16:17 CET

Turkey on Thursday called for speeding up UN-sponsored peace talks to reunite Cyprus and rejected European Union pressure linking the conflict to its membership bid.

Gul slams EU states opposed to Turkish membership — 18 May 2009, 00:06 CET

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Sunday that efforts by some European countries to block Ankara's entry into the 27-member European Union were "unacceptable."

Don't change rules in mid-game: Turkish PM to France, Germany — 14 May 2009, 17:57 CET

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called France and Germany not to change the established criteria on his country's accession bid to the 27-nation bloc.

Don't make Turkey EU bid a 'domestic issue': FM — 14 May 2009, 22:55 CET

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called on all European Union member states Thursday not to make Ankara's application to join the 27-member bloc a "domestic issue".

Turkey blasts French, German 'shortage of vision' on EU — 12 May 2009, 15:17 CET

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Tuesday that "a shortage of vision" was behind German and French objections to his country's struggling bid to join the European Union.

Turkey goes cold on EU — 29 April 2009, 12:09 CET

Many Turks wonder whether their country will ever get a chance to join the European Union and experts say they are increasingly disappointed at the slow pace of talks with the EU.

Cyprus and Greece confirm support for Turkey joining EU — 22 April 2009, 21:37 CET

Cyprus and Greece on Wednesday said they support Turkey becoming a full EU member on condition that Ankara fulfills its obligations.

Turkey 'closer and closer' to EU: EU presidency — 21 April 2009, 19:17 CET

Turkey is getting closer to the European Union and talks on its accession should proceed despite divergences over its future membership, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said Tuesday.

Turkey, with eye on EU, says determined to reform — 15 April 2009, 21:48 CET

Turkey is determined to pursue the reforms needed to fulfil its hopes of joining the European Union despite opposition from major bloc members, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Wednesday.

Obama's support may boost Turkey's EU bid — 07 April 2009, 15:17 CET

US President Barack Obama's strong support for Turkey's EU entry could boost stalled membership talks with the bloc, but much depends on Ankara working to catch up with European standards.

EU alone decides Turkish membership: Austrian minister — 07 April 2009, 14:49 CET

It is for the European Union alone to decide whether to make Turkey a member of the bloc, Austria's foreign minister said Tuesday, a day after Barack Obama publicly backed Ankara's bid.

French FM turns against Turkey EU entry — 07 April 2009, 13:34 CET

France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Tuesday he had turned against the idea of allowing Turkey to join the European Union because of Ankara's behaviour at last week's NATO summit.

Obama hardens support for Turkey's EU bid — 06 April 2009, 23:24 CET

US President Barack Obama on Monday voiced robust backing for Turkey's bid to join the European Union, saying Ankara's inclusion in the block would strengthen Europe.