Türkiye announced on Sunday a $14 billion regional development plan that aims to reduce the economic gap between its mainly Kurdish southeast region and the rest of the country.
The announcement comes amid increased hopes for an end to a decades-long insurgency waged by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in southeast Türkiye as well as the advent of a new leadership in neighbouring Syria with cordial ties to Ankara.
The eastern and southeastern provinces of Türkiye have long lagged behind other regions of the country in most economic indicators including gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, partly as a result of the insurgency.
Turkish Industry Minister Fatih Kacir told reporters in the southeastern city of Sanliurfa that the government would spend a total 496.2 billion lira ($14.15 billion) on 198 projects across the region in the period to 2028.
"With the implementation of the projects, we anticipate an additional 49,000 lira ($1,400) increase in annual income per capita in the region," he added.
According to 2023 data, the per capita income of Sanliurfa stood at $4,971, well below the national average of $13,243.
Regarding the prospects for peace in southeast Tüekiye, two Turkish lawmakers met the PKK's jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan on Saturday, the first such visit in a nearly a decade, and they quoted him as indicating he might be ready to call on the group's militants to lay down their weapons.
The visit followed a call by a close ally of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Ocalan to end the PKK's 40-year insurgency, in which more than 40,000 people have been killed.
The conflict between the Turkish state and PKK, now centred on northern Iraq, was mainly focused in southeast Türkiye in the past.
"Terrorism has caused great harm to eastern and southeastern regions of the country... A terror-free Türkiye will create great benefit to the region," Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said on Sunday at the event in Sanliurfa.
Türkiye and Western countries classify the PKK as a terrorist organisation.
Yilmaz also referred to recent developments in Syria, where Islamist rebels backed by Türkiye took power this month after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad and his flight to Russia.
"The opportunities that will come with the new era in Syria will increase the welfare of our entire country. Our southeastern region will benefit more from these developments," Yilmaz said.
Serdal Adali becomes Besiktas’s new president, winning a record 8,901 votes. Leadership change follows Hasan Arat's resignation over poor team results.
President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a 30-percent increase in the minimum wage for 2025, raising it to 22,104 lira (about 630 U.S. dollars).
Tensions in northern Syria have intensified as PKK/YPG militants ramp up attacks, targeting civilians and Turkish-backed forces, while Türkiye responds with decisive military operations in both Syria and Iraq, aiming to neutralize the threat and stabilize the region.
An explosion at a factory in Balikesir, Türkiye, killed 12 people and injured several others, officials confirmed. The cause remains unknown, and authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the incident, which occurred in the Karesi district on Tuesday.
DigiZoo immerses visitors in interactive exhibits, virtual reality experiences, and holographic displays showcasing over 50 species, appealing to both children and adults. A collaboration between Türkiye’s leading design studio PolyVision and Katılım Emeklilik pension fund, DigiZoo leverages cutting
A Texas man drove into a New Orleans crowd on New Year’s, killing 10, injuring 35, then opened fire on police in an attack linked to terrorism. Authorities found ISIS flag, weapons, and explosives.
At least 10 people were killed and 30 injured when a truck drove into a large crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter.
Giselle Pélicot, a 72-year-old survivor of a harrowing mass rape, has been named France's Person of the Year in a decision that reflects the nation's admiration for her courage and dignity. Her story moved millions, outshining political leaders in a survey conducted by the Odoxa-Mascaret Institute.
Countries worldwide ushered in 2025 with a blend of vibrant displays and heartfelt traditions, reflecting cultural pride and shared hopes for the future. From eco-friendly fireworks in Thailand to quiet prayers in Kenya, each celebration offered a unique glimpse into the spirit of optimism.
Serbian students marked the arrival of the New Year with 15 minutes of silence to honor the 15 victims of a deadly train station roof collapse in November. Gathered at Belgrade, Novi Sad and other cities, thousands of students called for justice and political reform in response to the tragedy.
AZAL has released the crew list for flight J2-8243, which crashed in Aktau today.
Farid Huseynov, Head of the AZAL Press Department, has confirmed that a total of 67 people were on board the plane involved in the recent incident, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members.
A Texas man drove into a New Orleans crowd on New Year’s, killing 10, injuring 35, then opened fire on police in an attack linked to terrorism. Authorities found ISIS flag, weapons, and explosives.
At least 10 people were killed and 30 injured when a truck drove into a large crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter.
Giselle Pélicot, a 72-year-old survivor of a harrowing mass rape, has been named France's Person of the Year in a decision that reflects the nation's admiration for her courage and dignity. Her story moved millions, outshining political leaders in a survey conducted by the Odoxa-Mascaret Institute.
Countries worldwide ushered in 2025 with a blend of vibrant displays and heartfelt traditions, reflecting cultural pride and shared hopes for the future. From eco-friendly fireworks in Thailand to quiet prayers in Kenya, each celebration offered a unique glimpse into the spirit of optimism.
Serbian students marked the arrival of the New Year with 15 minutes of silence to honor the 15 victims of a deadly train station roof collapse in November. Gathered at Belgrade, Novi Sad and other cities, thousands of students called for justice and political reform in response to the tragedy.
A Texas man drove into a New Orleans crowd on New Year’s, killing 10, injuring 35, then opened fire on police in an attack linked to terrorism. Authorities found ISIS flag, weapons, and explosives.
At least 10 people were killed and 30 injured when a truck drove into a large crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter.
Giselle Pélicot, a 72-year-old survivor of a harrowing mass rape, has been named France's Person of the Year in a decision that reflects the nation's admiration for her courage and dignity. Her story moved millions, outshining political leaders in a survey conducted by the Odoxa-Mascaret Institute.
Countries worldwide ushered in 2025 with a blend of vibrant displays and heartfelt traditions, reflecting cultural pride and shared hopes for the future. From eco-friendly fireworks in Thailand to quiet prayers in Kenya, each celebration offered a unique glimpse into the spirit of optimism.
Serbian students marked the arrival of the New Year with 15 minutes of silence to honor the 15 victims of a deadly train station roof collapse in November. Gathered at Belgrade, Novi Sad and other cities, thousands of students called for justice and political reform in response to the tragedy.
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