Day: December 23, 2023

In a renewed push towards European Union (EU) membership, Turkey has expressed optimism about the prospect of joining the EU, marking a potential shift in its long-standing aspirations. However, experts caution that significant challenges still stand in the way of realizing this dream.

Turkey, a candidate for EU membership since 1987, has faced various obstacles, including political differences, human rights concerns, and longstanding disputes with EU member Cyprus. Recent diplomatic efforts and policy changes from Ankara suggest a willingness to address these issues and rekindle the accession process.

The Turkish government has outlined a series of reforms aimed at aligning the country with EU standards, addressing concerns raised by the European bloc in previous assessments. These reforms cover areas such as judiciary independence, press freedom, and the rule of law, signaling a proactive approach to meeting EU criteria.

Despite all these reforms one sentence always blocks Turkey’s path….. “There is still work to be done.”

Key challenges include the ongoing dispute with Cyprus over territorial rights and the exploration of natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. The resolution of these issues is crucial for normalizing relations between Turkey and EU member states, particularly Greece and Cyprus.

Human rights concerns, including freedom of the press and the treatment of political dissent, also remain central to the EU’s evaluation of Turkey’s candidacy. The EU has consistently stressed the importance of upholding democratic principles as a fundamental aspect of the accession process.

Nigeria’s central bank has lifted a ban on transacting in cryptocurrencies while saying global trends had shown a need to regulate such activities, the bank said in its latest circular, Azernews reports, citing Reuters.

In a departure from the usual diplomatic protocols, the Kremlin announced today that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be extending New Year greetings to “unfriendly countries.” Traditionally, President Putin sends holiday wishes to foreign leaders in December, but this year’s decision marks a significant break from the established norm.

The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov stated that the exclusion of New Year greetings to certain countries is in response to their perceived unfriendly actions toward Russia. The spokesperson did not explicitly name the countries affected by this decision but emphasized that it was a measure taken in light of geopolitical developments.

This move comes amidst strained relations between Russia and several Western nations, with tensions exacerbated by issues such as sanctions, territorial disputes, and accusations of interference in internal affairs.

The decision to withhold seasonal greetings is seen as a symbolic diplomatic gesture, underscoring the current state of relations between Russia and the designated “unfriendly countries.”

The Kremlin spokesperson also reiterated Russia’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions and maintaining open channels of communication, despite the decision not to exchange New Year greetings with certain nations. The move is likely to further fuel speculation about the trajectory of Russia’s foreign policy and its stance toward countries considered less amicable.

Tanker ship off India hit by attack drone ‘fired from Iran’: Pentagon  Arab News