A free press is vital for democracy and rule of law. I call on Turkish authorities to protect independent journalism and uphold freedom of expression. The recent detentions, deportations, fines and broadcast bans on free press go against 🇹🇷 commitments and democratic tradition.

My latest commentary on #Turkey and #Europe, co-authored with ⁦Francesco Siccardi⁩. All said, the struggle between #WesternEurope and #Russia means #RuleOfLaw versus brute force. ⁦Carnegie Europe⁩ ⁦Carnegie Endowment⁩ carnegieendowment.org/posts/2025/04/…

With Francesco Siccardi, we tried to assess the pros and cons of enlisting #Turkey in the #CoalitionOfTheWilling. There is a moral and a strategic dimension. #Russia #Ukraine

A summary of #LiberationDay tarriff policy… Also: - #Guadeloupe #Martinique #LaRéunion [All #French territories] are among the ‘countries’ hit by #US ‘retaliation’ - some US TV channels stopped showing the Dow Jones & Nasdaq ticker - as losses on #WallStreet look staggering

Assessing with Francesco Siccardi #Turkey’s involvement in the #CoalitionOfTheWilling. Obviously #Ankara’s attitude with Ekrem İmamoğlu Ekrem İmamoğlu (International) has done a lot of damage in #WesternEurope. Shattering Turkey’s democracy in such a brutal way sets the country in a different league.

Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest marks another milestone in Turkey's shift to an authoritarian style of government. European leaders must carefully balance Turkey's assets and liabilities when pursuing deeper defense cooperation, say Marc Pierini & Francesco Siccardi ⤵️ carnegieendowment.org/posts/2025/04/…

I’m glad the New York Times is highlighting the Turkish people’s fight for democracy, but this editorial — like a few others lately — misses the mark: stop viewing Erdoğan through an outdated Islamist lens. It distorts Turkey’s reality and weakens the point you’re trying to make.

Tonight in #Brugge, Fazil Say ⁦Fazıl Say Official⁩ offered a rousing rendition of #Mozart’s piano concerto n. 21 with the #Rotterdam Philarmonic Orchestra led by Andrés Orozco-Estrada.

One important moment in #Germany’s & #Europe’s politics: Friedrich Merz just became Federal Chancellor. Lots of changes expected at #EU level + unheard level of tension with the #US.

Access to jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s social media account on X has been blocked in Turkey, a monitoring platform said Thursday, the latest move against a key rival to Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdogan. abcnews.link/Hq9043t

Access to jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's account on X has been blocked in Turkey - the latest move against President Erdogan's key rival. Imamoglu was arrested in March on corruption charges, and nominated as his opposition CHP's presidential candidate while in custody.

At this point, the #Russia #Ukraine meeting on Thursday in #Turkey looks low-key. But it will be a major test for: - #Putin’s willingness to start real negociations. - #Trump’s influence. - the role of the #CoalitionOfTheWilling. And a major photo opportunity for #Erdogan.

Important role for #Turkey as a facilitator of different meetings with #Russia #Ukraine #USA in #Ankara #Antalya #Istanbul this week. Mediation is not in the cards yet.

Probably the best result of the #Russia #Ukraine meeting in #Istanbul: - future exchange of 1,000 prisoners each side - future exchange of technical documents - agreement in principle to meet again. As Hakan Fidan said, #Turkey acted as facilitator and it helped. Turkish MFA

#MemorialDay at the #NormandyAmericanCemetery . #NeverForget

🇩🇪 A new start for Europe with Friedrich Merz? The new chancellor is banking on a stronger Franco-German tandem and a sovereign Europe. 📖 By Stefan Seidendorf, to be read on the Fondation Schuman : robert-schuman.eu/en/european-is… #FRS #Germany #EU #FrancoGermany

My interview on ⁦FRANCE 24 Français⁩ about the #EU and #Syria: a new beginning in the midst of hopes, misgivings and multiple foreign interactions. youtube.com/watch?v=XsNhjA…

My statement after my visit today to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Ekrem İmamoğlu in prison. If Turkish authorities really want to revive the EU accession process, the path starts in Silivri. europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-…

Remarkable visit of Nacho Sánchez Amor European Parliament to Ekrem İmamoğlu (International) in #Silivri jail, with consent of 🇹🇷 authorities. Keeping #Imamoglu #Demirtas #Kavala in jail bars #Turkey’s leadership from entering the world leaders club they want to join.

Visible impact of ongoing #Israel’s strikes on #Iran: most civilian air traffic diverted on #Egypt’s, #Greece’s & Western #Turkey’s airspace. Via Flightradar24