Türkiye projects influence on multiple fronts as old Aegean fault lines reach Brussels
Greek Shipping Minister Vasilis Kikilias asked the European Commission on May 15 to intervene against unlawful Turkish fishing in the Aegean as Ankara prepares a June vote on a 'Blue Homeland Law'. Türkiye announced a 20-year corporate-tax exemption to attract Gulf-displaced firms and confirmed a $3 billion Google Cloud hyperscale data centre in Ankara. Erdoğan used the OTS summit in Turkistan to push Turkic defence and cybersecurity cooperation.
Top Stories
Greece asks the EU to intervene against Turkish fishing in the Aegean as Ankara prepares June vote on Blue Homeland Law
Greek Shipping Minister Vasilis Kikilias asked the European Commission on May 15 to 'step in' against what he called unlawful Turkish fishing and violations of the law of the sea in the Aegean, telling EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis in Athens that 'our maritime borders are also European borders, and the law of the sea applies to everyone.' Athens objects to Turkish fishing in waters Greece considers its own and to a Turkish maritime spatial plan that designates fishing zones in the Aegean. The appeal comes as Ankara prepares a June vote on a 'Blue Homeland Law' that, according to Bloomberg, would codify Turkey's claims to economic zones in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.
Türkiye offers 20-year tax exemptions to lure AI data centers amid Gulf crisis
Türkiye has announced tax incentives for companies and professionals relocating from the Gulf region due to the Iran war, including a 20-year corporate tax exemption for firms moving regional headquarters to the Istanbul Financial Center. Google Cloud has committed to a $3 billion hyperscale data center in Ankara, while Amazon Web Services and Microsoft are reassessing partnerships. The disruption has upended Gulf states' $500 billion Stargate project, with around 500,000 foreign residents and 15,000 companies leaving the region between Feb. 28 and March 31.
Erdogan calls for Turkic world solidarity, cybersecurity cooperation at OTS summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday urged greater coordination among Turkic states, citing regional crises and digital threats. Speaking at the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, he said conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, and Ukraine underscore the need to strengthen defense and industrial cooperation. Erdogan also said Turkey aims to prioritize cybersecurity coordination during its upcoming OTS chairmanship.
Ankara NATO Summit Seen as Chance to Reshape Alliance, Experts Say
Experts at a Washington panel on Thursday said Türkiye's growing strategic role within NATO could help redefine the alliance at its upcoming summit in Ankara, scheduled for July 7-8. The event, organized by Türkiye's Directorate of Communications and SETA, featured officials and analysts who highlighted Türkiye's military capacity and its role in security challenges from Ukraine to the Middle East. The summit will be the second time Türkiye hosts a NATO gathering, following Istanbul in 2004.
All Events
Every other event tracked in Turkey, with a one-line preview.
tr35Sumud Land Convoy with over 300 activists aims to reach Gaza in six days
Turkish activist Davut Daşkıran announced that the Sumud Land Convoy, carrying over 300 activists from 30-35 countries including 50 from Türkiye, expects to reach Gaza within five to six days. The convoy, currently in western Libya, is transporting medical aid, ambulances, and containers for families, aiming to deliver humanitarian relief despite potential entry obstacles and past failed attempts. The mission highlights ongoing international efforts to break the blockade on Gaza.
Show summaryHide
Sumud Land Convoy with over 300 activists aims to reach Gaza in six days
Turkish activist Davut Daşkıran announced that the Sumud Land Convoy, carrying over 300 activists from 30-35 countries including 50 from Türkiye, expects to reach Gaza within five to six days. The convoy, currently in western Libya, is transporting medical aid, ambulances, and containers for families, aiming to deliver humanitarian relief despite potential entry obstacles and past failed attempts. The mission highlights ongoing international efforts to break the blockade on Gaza.
Turkish activist Davut Daşkıran announced that the Sumud Land Convoy, carrying over 300 activists from 30-35 countries including 50 from Türkiye, expects to reach Gaza within five to six days. The convoy, currently in western Libya, is transporting medical aid, ambulances, and containers for families, aiming to deliver humanitarian relief despite potential entry obstacles and past failed attempts. The mission highlights ongoing international efforts to break the blockade on Gaza.
tr33Türkiye deploys new deep-sea drilling ship Yıldırım to Black Sea gas field
Türkiye's newest deep-sea drilling vessel, Yıldırım, has departed for its first operational mission in the Black Sea at the Türkali-16 well, expanding the country's deep-sea fleet to five vessels in the region. The deployment supports development of the Sakarya gas field, which holds 710 bcm of reserves, as part of Türkiye's strategy to reduce energy import dependence and boost domestic production.
Show summaryHide
Türkiye deploys new deep-sea drilling ship Yıldırım to Black Sea gas field
Türkiye's newest deep-sea drilling vessel, Yıldırım, has departed for its first operational mission in the Black Sea at the Türkali-16 well, expanding the country's deep-sea fleet to five vessels in the region. The deployment supports development of the Sakarya gas field, which holds 710 bcm of reserves, as part of Türkiye's strategy to reduce energy import dependence and boost domestic production.
Türkiye's newest deep-sea drilling vessel, Yıldırım, has departed for its first operational mission in the Black Sea at the Türkali-16 well, expanding the country's deep-sea fleet to five vessels in the region. The deployment supports development of the Sakarya gas field, which holds 710 bcm of reserves, as part of Türkiye's strategy to reduce energy import dependence and boost domestic production.
tr30Türkiye positions itself as a sought-after defense ecosystem, not just product supplier
Türkiye's Secretary of Defense Industries Haluk Gorgun announced that the country has transformed into a comprehensive defense ecosystem that international partners seek for co-production, moving beyond being merely a product supplier. Speaking during the Belgian Economic Mission's visit, he emphasized that trust, capability, and mutual benefit are essential for durable cooperation, and identified potential joint development areas such as sensitive components and advanced materials. Gorgun attributed this shift to Türkiye's early recognition of warfare transformation, including unmanned systems, AI, and electronic warfare, which has enabled the country to build a full structure from design to sustainment. This development underscores Türkiye's growing influence in global defense and its appeal as a partner for co-production and joint innovation.
Show summaryHide
Türkiye positions itself as a sought-after defense ecosystem, not just product supplier
Türkiye's Secretary of Defense Industries Haluk Gorgun announced that the country has transformed into a comprehensive defense ecosystem that international partners seek for co-production, moving beyond being merely a product supplier. Speaking during the Belgian Economic Mission's visit, he emphasized that trust, capability, and mutual benefit are essential for durable cooperation, and identified potential joint development areas such as sensitive components and advanced materials. Gorgun attributed this shift to Türkiye's early recognition of warfare transformation, including unmanned systems, AI, and electronic warfare, which has enabled the country to build a full structure from design to sustainment. This development underscores Türkiye's growing influence in global defense and its appeal as a partner for co-production and joint innovation.
Türkiye's Secretary of Defense Industries Haluk Gorgun announced that the country has transformed into a comprehensive defense ecosystem that international partners seek for co-production, moving beyond being merely a product supplier. Speaking during the Belgian Economic Mission's visit, he emphasized that trust, capability, and mutual benefit are essential for durable cooperation, and identified potential joint development areas such as sensitive components and advanced materials. Gorgun attributed this shift to Türkiye's early recognition of warfare transformation, including unmanned systems, AI, and electronic warfare, which has enabled the country to build a full structure from design to sustainment. This development underscores Türkiye's growing influence in global defense and its appeal as a partner for co-production and joint innovation.
tr28Türkiye and China expand climate and urban resilience cooperation ahead of COP31
Background: Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum visited Beijing and agreed with Chinese counterparts to establish a joint working group on urbanization and housing. Today: Kurum announced that Türkiye and China have deepened cooperation on climate change, resilient cities, clean energy, and sustainable infrastructure. A joint working group will be established ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will co-host in Antalya. Discussions with Chinese officials and financial institutions, including the AIIB, Silk Road Fund, and China Energy Investment Corporation, focused on financing for climate and sustainability projects. The visit also included meetings with these institutions to explore financing mechanisms. Kurum noted that Türkiye and China share similar long-term climate goals, with net-zero targets of 2053 and 2060 respectively, and both generate about 60% of their energy from renewables. Cooperation was expanded to include clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and urban resilience, with a focus on earthquake preparedness and sustainable urban projects. Specific financing proposals are expected at COP31 in Antalya.
Show summaryHide
Türkiye and China expand climate and urban resilience cooperation ahead of COP31
Background: Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum visited Beijing and agreed with Chinese counterparts to establish a joint working group on urbanization and housing. Today: Kurum announced that Türkiye and China have deepened cooperation on climate change, resilient cities, clean energy, and sustainable infrastructure. A joint working group will be established ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will co-host in Antalya. Discussions with Chinese officials and financial institutions, including the AIIB, Silk Road Fund, and China Energy Investment Corporation, focused on financing for climate and sustainability projects. The visit also included meetings with these institutions to explore financing mechanisms. Kurum noted that Türkiye and China share similar long-term climate goals, with net-zero targets of 2053 and 2060 respectively, and both generate about 60% of their energy from renewables. Cooperation was expanded to include clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and urban resilience, with a focus on earthquake preparedness and sustainable urban projects. Specific financing proposals are expected at COP31 in Antalya.
Background: Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum visited Beijing and agreed with Chinese counterparts to establish a joint working group on urbanization and housing. Today: Kurum announced that Türkiye and China have deepened cooperation on climate change, resilient cities, clean energy, and sustainable infrastructure. A joint working group will be established ahead of COP31, which Türkiye will co-host in Antalya. Discussions with Chinese officials and financial institutions, including the AIIB, Silk Road Fund, and China Energy Investment Corporation, focused on financing for climate and sustainability projects. The visit also included meetings with these institutions to explore financing mechanisms. Kurum noted that Türkiye and China share similar long-term climate goals, with net-zero targets of 2053 and 2060 respectively, and both generate about 60% of their energy from renewables. Cooperation was expanded to include clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and urban resilience, with a focus on earthquake preparedness and sustainable urban projects. Specific financing proposals are expected at COP31 in Antalya.
tr13TIKA launches clean water, healthcare, and agriculture projects in Sudan
Turkey's aid agency TIKA has launched development projects in Sudan's Red Sea state, including a solar-powered water pumping station in the Arbaat area, an agricultural nursery, freshwater fisheries support, and renovation of the orthopedic department at Matamma State Hospital. These initiatives aim to improve access to clean water, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture in a region with minimal rainfall and fuel supply challenges.
Show summaryHide
TIKA launches clean water, healthcare, and agriculture projects in Sudan
Turkey's aid agency TIKA has launched development projects in Sudan's Red Sea state, including a solar-powered water pumping station in the Arbaat area, an agricultural nursery, freshwater fisheries support, and renovation of the orthopedic department at Matamma State Hospital. These initiatives aim to improve access to clean water, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture in a region with minimal rainfall and fuel supply challenges.
Turkey's aid agency TIKA has launched development projects in Sudan's Red Sea state, including a solar-powered water pumping station in the Arbaat area, an agricultural nursery, freshwater fisheries support, and renovation of the orthopedic department at Matamma State Hospital. These initiatives aim to improve access to clean water, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture in a region with minimal rainfall and fuel supply challenges.