Stories from Ankara · Turkey

Turkey has significantly increased the cost of residence permits for Russian citizens. The fee has risen by nearly 15 times, according to the report. This follows a gradual increase in costs. Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced the change after an AK Party group meeting. The new regulation is set to enter into force immediately. Turkey has implemented a 930 percent increase in residence permit application fees for citizens of Nigeria and 36 other African countries.

Turkey plans to construct 15,000 new housing units to be delivered in August. These homes will be rented to low-income groups at half the market rate. Urban transformation expert and civil engineer Cevdet Çentürk discussed the project details.

Turkey's total number of employed persons increased by 226,000 people compared to the previous month, reaching 32,425,000. The employment rate rose to 48.5 percent. Unemployment among the youth population aged 15-24 decreased by 0.5 percentage points in March to 15.3 percent.

CHP leader Özgür Özel instructed party staff to conduct special studies following meetings of the Party Assembly and Mayors. The party plans to organize joint rallies with opposition parties, including the DEM Party and İYİ Party.

Turkey has reportedly submitted a proposal to act as a mediator between Ankara, Lebanon, the United States, and Hezbollah. The Beirut government is reportedly approaching this offer with caution and has not shown intent to accept at this stage. This development follows reports regarding potential diplomatic roles for Turkey in the region. Turkey may act as a mediator between Lebanon, the United States, and Hezbollah to resolve regional tensions, according to a report in the Jerusalem Post. The report notes that Washington has not yet provided a definitive response to Turkey's interest in mediation. According to a report from Israel's Ceresolem Post Gazetesi, the United States has not yet responded to this proposal. Turkey has proposed to mediate between Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah in an attempt to gain regional prominence, according to reports in Israel.

The 2026 budget indicates a interest burden for Turkey, with interest payments expected to reach 2.74 trillion lira this year. Dervişoğlu highlighted that this figure represents the highest interest load in the history of the Republic.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated during an AK Party group meeting that the Grand National Assembly must carry out its legislative duties fully and without terrorism. He asserted that the current process is progressing as intended and that manufactured perceptions will not alter the course. Erdoğan claimed the initiative aims to thwart regional games and address threats to national brotherhood. He stated that citizens must set aside differences to embrace unity and brotherhood during this difficult period. He also commented on the ongoing terrorism process, noting a positive atmosphere in recent discussions. He said the necessity of strengthening national cohesion. These remarks were made in the context of ongoing terrorism concerns in Turkey.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Abdülkadir Uraloğlu stated that investigations into the crash of a Libyan aircraft are ongoing.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar was questioned by the AK Party group regarding claims that a mining company has failed to pay worker wages. The Ministry of Energy is reportedly involved in the ongoing discussion and process regarding these unpaid claims.

Turkey has changed the training requirements for obtaining motor vehicle trade authorization certificates. The amendment also mandates that businesses must update their authorization documents if any information contained within them changes.