Turkey

Turkey News Roundup

September 11, 2020

Turkey weekly news roundup – September 11, 2020

By Atlantic Council in Turkey

Below is a selection of articles on Turkey we have been following, covering the most important issues over the past week.

East Med Tensions

Financial Times; What is at stake in the Eastern Mediterranean?

Competition over gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean has combined with regional rivalries to fuel tensions between Turkey and its neighbors in recent months and led to fears of a direct military confrontation between Turkey and Greece, two NATO allies. Efforts to negotiate a settlement have broken down in recent months and both sides have resorted to threats and shows of force by moving warships close into disputed waters. The EU has a assumed a leading role in attempts to defuse tensions and broker an agreement.

Reuters: Turkey’s Erdogan says East Med is test of EU’s sincerity

President Tayyip Erdoğan told European Council President Charles Michel last Sunday the EU’s stance towards the East Mediterranean would be a test of its sincerity, calling on it to take an impartial stance in Turkey’s row with Greece. Michel had said on Friday that European Union leaders will decide on a “carrot and stick” approach to Turkey when they meet on Sept. 24-25, proposing a conference to defuse tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey-Iran Cooperation

Middle East Eye: Turkey and Iran vow to target PKK in joint military operations

On September 7th, Turkey and Iran issued a declaration vowing to cooperate in the fight “against the activities of PKK/PJAK elements and the other terrorist organisations along the common borders”. The statement follows a series of high level talks between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Hassan Rouhani. Turkey and Iran have found themselves on opposite sides of many regional issues, such as in Syria, where they back opposing sides, however policymakers in both countries have attempted to compartmentalize relations.

Economic Prospects

Bloomberg: Turkey to Wield Competitive Lira in Economy’s Pivot After Virus

In an in-depth written interview with Bloomberg, Turkey’s Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak outlines Turkey’s economic prospects over the coming year and details the government’s economic strategy. One goal is to have a balanced current account in the medium term and reduce reliance on foreign financing through boosting exports, tourism income and domestic production. Turkey expects its economy to fare better than many of its peers this year with estimated growth between -2 to +1% while in 2021, the government has set a goal of 5%.

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