Turkey

Ukraine: Kyiv asks Turkey to probe three more Russian ships it alleges transported stolen grain

ISTANBUL, July 5 (Reuters) - Ukraine has asked Turkey to help investigate three Russian-flagged ships as part of Kyiv’s efforts to probe what it alleges is the theft of grain from Russian-occupied territory, according to official documents.

In a June 13 letter, which hasn’t previously been reported, the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office asked Turkey’s justice ministry to investigate and provide evidence on the three named ships it suspects have been involved in transporting grain allegedly stolen from recently occupied Ukrainian territories, such as Kherson.

Turkiye's inflation soars to 24-year high of 78.62% in June

04 July 2022; MEMO: Turkiye's annual inflation rate was at 78.62 per cent in June, the country's statistical authority said on Monday, Anadolu News Agency reports,

According to the report, the inflation rate reported by Türkiye's state statistics agency was the highest since January 1998.

Turkiye's Economy Minister, Nureddin Nebati, on Friday said that consumer prices will start dropping next December.

"We will see a drop in inflation starting in December," he was quoted as saying by Turkish media.

Turkey halts Russian ship, investigates Ukrainian claims

04 July 2022; MEMO: Turkiye has halted a Russian-flagged cargo ship off its Black Sea coast and is investigating a Ukrainian claim that it was carrying stolen grain, a senior Turkish official said on Monday, Reuters reports.

Ukraine's ambassador to Turkiye said, on Sunday, the "Zhibek Zholy" was detained by Turkish customs authorities. Ukraine had previously asked Ankara to detain it, according to an official and documents viewed by Reuters.

Turkey halts Russian ship, investigates Ukrainian claims -senior official

ANKARA, July 4 (Reuters) - Turkey has halted a Russian-flagged cargo ship off its Black Sea coast and is investigating a Ukrainian claim that it was carrying stolen grain, a senior Turkish official said on Monday.

Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey said on Sunday the Zhibek Zholy was detained by Turkish customs authorities. Ukraine had previously asked Ankara to detain it, according to an official and documents viewed by Reuters. 

Russian cargo ship detained in Turkey at Kiev’s request — Ukrainian ambassador

ANKARA, July 3. /TASS/: A Russian cargo ship allegedly carrying Ukrainian grain has been detained by Turkey’s customs authorities at Kiev’s request, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasily Bodnar said on Sunday.

"We have full co-operation [with Turke]. The ship is currently standing at the entrance to the port, it has been detained by the customs authorities of Turkey," Reuters quoted him as saying.

According to Bodnar, investigators will meet on Monday to decide about the ship’s fate.

Erdogan: Sweden pledged to extradite 73 terrorists

01 July 2022; MEMO: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that Sweden has pledged to extradite 73 Turkish nationals wanted by Ankara on terror charges in return for Turkiye's support for the Nordic country's bid to become a member of NATO.

Speaking at a news conference in Madrid at the end of a NATO summit, Erdogan said Turkiye will closely follow up on the implementation of the issues contained in the trilateral accord signed with Sweden and Finland.

Turkiye blocks German broadcaster Deutsche Welle over licensing issues

01 July 2022; MEMO: Turkiye has blocked access to Deutsche Welle's websites after demanding it apply for a license, DW reports.

According to the report, the Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) has blocked the websites of German public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, over licensing issues.

The German public broadcaster says it plans to take legal action against the move, report says.

DW Director General, Peter Limbourg, said: "This is simply unacceptable for an independent broadcaster."

Turkiye can re-export Black Sea grains to States in need - Erdogan

01 July 2022; MEMO: Turkiye can re-export grain products like wheat, oat, and barley from the Black Sea to countries in need after talks with Russia and Ukraine, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, adding he would discuss the matter with both countries in the coming days, Reuters reports.

Erdogan: Nordic NATO bid could still be nixed if vows unkept: Turkey

ISTANBUL (AP) — Just two days after agreeing to lift deal-breaking objections to Sweden and Finland’s NATO accession, Turkey’s leader warned Thursday that Ankara could still block the process if the two countries fail to fully meet his expectations.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the close of the alliance’s summit in Madrid that the 10-article agreement with the Nordic pair was a victory for Ankara and addressed all its “sensitivities.”

Turkiye demands extradition of terrorists after Sweden-Finland NATO deal

Turkiye's Justice Minister said on Wednesday that his country expects Sweden and Finland to extradite more than 30 "terrorists" under an agreement that lifted Ankara's objections to their bids to join NATO, Anadolu has reported.

"We will ask them to abide by their commitments," added Bekir Bozdag. The extradition of 33 suspects must now be fulfilled under the NATO deal, he insisted.

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