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Erdoğan convenes on war-driven inflation as April exports hit a record $25.4 billion

Erdoğan will chair Monday's Cabinet meeting on inflation and the war's economic toll, the PKK disarmament dossier, and reopened murder cases including Gülistan Doku. April exports hit a record $25.4 billion, up 22.3 percent year-on-year, led by automotive at $3.9 billion. Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz becomes the first sitting Turkish VP to visit Armenia, attending the EPC summit in Yerevan. Aselsan opens SAHA EXPO 2026 in Istanbul on Tuesday with five new products.

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Every other event tracked in Turkey, with a one-line preview.

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Turkish Vice President to attend European Political Community summit in Armenia

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz will visit Yerevan, Armenia, to attend the European Political Community summit, marking the first visit by a sitting Turkish vice president to Armenia. The visit is a milestone in the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, which have been largely frozen since the Soviet collapse. The summit will focus on energy security, economic development, and security policy.

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Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz will visit Yerevan, Armenia, to attend the European Political Community summit, marking the first visit by a sitting Turkish vice president to Armenia. The visit is a milestone in the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, which have been largely frozen since the Soviet collapse. The summit will focus on energy security, economic development, and security policy.

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Turkish exports hit record April high of $25.4 billion, led by automotive sector

Turkey's exports reached a record $25.4 billion in April 2026, a 22.3% year-on-year increase, despite global energy supply disruptions and price shocks. The automotive sector led with $3.9 billion in shipments. The foreign trade deficit narrowed 29.8% to $8.5 billion. Officials noted geopolitical risks could cause fluctuations but reaffirmed the annual export target of $282 billion.

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Turkey's exports reached a record $25.4 billion in April 2026, a 22.3% year-on-year increase, despite global energy supply disruptions and price shocks. The automotive sector led with $3.9 billion in shipments. The foreign trade deficit narrowed 29.8% to $8.5 billion. Officials noted geopolitical risks could cause fluctuations but reaffirmed the annual export target of $282 billion.

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Aselsan to showcase new defense products at SAHA EXPO 2026

Turkish defense electronics company Aselsan will present five new products and upgraded versions of six existing systems at the SAHA EXPO 2026 defense fair in Istanbul, May 5-9. The exhibition includes components of the Steel Dome air defense system, the Alp low altitude defense radar, the Gürz hybrid air defense system, the Korkut air defense system, the Ejderha anti-UAV system, the Gökberk mobile laser weapon system, and the Puhu electronic warfare system. The company aims to strengthen its global brand and secure export partnerships, with a specific goal of signing export-oriented partnerships.

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Turkish defense electronics company Aselsan will present five new products and upgraded versions of six existing systems at the SAHA EXPO 2026 defense fair in Istanbul, May 5-9. The exhibition includes components of the Steel Dome air defense system, the Alp low altitude defense radar, the Gürz hybrid air defense system, the Korkut air defense system, the Ejderha anti-UAV system, the Gökberk mobile laser weapon system, and the Puhu electronic warfare system. The company aims to strengthen its global brand and secure export partnerships, with a specific goal of signing export-oriented partnerships.

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Kuwaiti foreign minister to visit Turkey for talks on regional crises

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah will visit Turkey on Monday for talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The discussions will cover bilateral ties, the U.S.-Iran war, the situation in Gaza, Lebanon, and the Gulf region, as well as freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Turkey is expected to stress the need for regional cooperation and support for peace negotiations.

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Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah will visit Turkey on Monday for talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The discussions will cover bilateral ties, the U.S.-Iran war, the situation in Gaza, Lebanon, and the Gulf region, as well as freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Turkey is expected to stress the need for regional cooperation and support for peace negotiations.

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Türkiye intercepts over 1 million smuggled artifacts annually, official says

Zeynep Boz, head of the Department for Combating Smuggling at Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, announced that more than 1 million historical artifacts, mostly coins, are prevented from being smuggled abroad each year through intensified enforcement and international cooperation. Since 2002, 13,453 artifacts have been returned. The efforts include law enforcement operations, public awareness campaigns, and legal frameworks to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property.

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Zeynep Boz, head of the Department for Combating Smuggling at Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, announced that more than 1 million historical artifacts, mostly coins, are prevented from being smuggled abroad each year through intensified enforcement and international cooperation. Since 2002, 13,453 artifacts have been returned. The efforts include law enforcement operations, public awareness campaigns, and legal frameworks to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property.

Frequently Asked

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What topics will Erdoğan's cabinet discuss on Monday?
The cabinet will discuss the impact of the US-Israel-Iran war on Turkey's economy, the PKK disarmament process, and unsolved high-profile murder cases including the Gülistan Doku disappearance.
How much did Turkey's April exports increase?
April exports rose 22.3% year-on-year to $25.4 billion, the highest April figure in history and the second highest monthly export in the republic's 102.5 years.
Who is visiting Armenia on Monday and why?
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz will visit Yerevan for the European Political Community summit, becoming the first sitting Turkish vice president to visit Armenia, marking a deepening of normalization.
What new products will Aselsan unveil at SAHA EXPO 2026?
Aselsan will unveil five new products including the Alp low-altitude radar, hybrid Gürz air-defense system, Korkut air-defense system, Ejderha anti-UAV system, and Gökberk mobile laser weapon.
How did the trade deficit change in April?
The trade deficit narrowed 29.8% to $8.5 billion, and the export-to-import ratio jumped from 64% in March to 75%.