Erkan in the Army now...: Turkey’s FM is so upset: “Al-Qaeda ‘legitimizes’ al-Assad” A FP roundup…

Syria peace hopes at Paris crossroads  U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry headed for Paris to fresh Syria talks, hoping to press the fractured opposition to participate in upcoming peace talks Ammunition rounds seized in buses bound to Hatay on Turkish-Syrian border A large quantity of ammunition was seized in two trucks bound for the southern province of Hatay bordering Syria   Al-Qaeda ‘legitimizes’ al-Assad: FM Davutoğlu   Ahmet Davutoğlu said both al-Qaeda and al-Assad were not only benefiting each other, but supporting one another as well Radicals make al-Assad look less evil: Turkish FM   The incorrect methods adopted by radical groups in Syria have made the Syrian government appear ‘less evil,’ Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said No need for concern over graft probe, Turkey’s new EU minister tells Brussels   Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu urged EU to refrain from ‘unilateral and impatient’ statements US expresses concerns about Turkey’s graft crisis   The US State Department called for a Turkish legal system that respects highest standards in ‘fairness’ and ‘transparency’  in Malaysia… Ankara ‘adds’ uranium clause in nuclear deal with Tokyo   Ankara reportedly asked a clause allowing uranium enrichment and plutonium extraction to be added into a nuclear agreement signed by Turkey and Japan, prompting nuclear proliferation fears   Turkish energy minister denies uranium enrichment intention   Ankara reportedly demanded allowance for uranium enrichment within the framework of a $22 billion nuclear plant and technology export deal with Tokyo Commission warns Turkey against purges of graft investigators The Turkish government has purged hundreds of police, among them senior commanders, since a graft scandal erupted on 17 December. The European Commission issued today (8 January) a warning that recent developments in the largest candidate country are a ‘matter of concern’ for the EU executive. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s AK Party sent plans to parliament late on 7 January which would give the government more say over the appointment of judges and prosecutors, the latest salvo in its battle against a damaging corruption inquiry.   Arrogance undoes the Turkish model   Erdogan is demonstrating to the world that his is a country with a shaky democracy, a flawed constitution and a diminishing number of allies   Related posts: When failed foreign policy maker Davutoğlu makes political statements: “Graft probe targets Turkey’s self-confidence Turkish PM visits Silicon Valley… in the mean time accuses Turkish media for not standing up against al-Assad… Turkey says not aiding Qaeda-linked Syrian rebels…Hamas leader Mashaal in Ankara for talks with Erdoğan… Well, not much surprisingly Turkey, US agree al-Assad should go… while Turkey’s main opposition in a strage row with EU socialists… “Al-Qaeda group and FSA declare truce as Turkey keeps Syria border gate closed… Syria updates…