Luis Ramirez

Amid Tensions, Turkey’s Kurds Hope Poll Will Further Their Agenda

A central issue in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Turkey is the rising influence of Kurdish voters. Many want an eventual Kurdish independent state, but the majority say they want to work within the framework of Turkey's democratic system to achieve shorter-term goals: more autonomy and the use of the Kurdish language in public schools. VOA Europe Correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

Thousands of Monitors Prepare for Turkish Election

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Kurdish, leftist opponents accuse his government of manipulating vote, say they doubt poll will be free, fair

Thousands of Monitors Prepare for Turkish Election

More than 55,000 election monitors are preparing for Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Turkey. Tensions are high, with Turkish Kurds bracing for possible violence as the party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tries to regain its majority — something polls indicate is unlikely. VOA Europe Correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

US, Europe Watch as Turkey Vote Approaches

The bombing of a rally, a Kurdish insurgency, and clashes between police and IS militants are raising concerns about Turkey’s future as a strategic ally

Erdogan's Legacy Hinges on Sunday’s Turkey Elections

In Sunday’s election, party founded by Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to regain majority it lost in parliament last June; elections may also portend Erdogan's legacy

Brits Accused of Putting Trade Above Rights in China

British leaders sought to steer away from human rights discussions during Xi Jinping's visit, focusing more on jobs new deals with Chinese hopefully will bring

British Government Accused of Putting Trade Above Rights in China

Chinese President Xi Jinping has wrapped up a four-day visit to Britain, where he signed billions of dollars' worth of deals that include massive Chinese investment in a British power plant. There was some mention of human rights concerns during the meetings, but critics accuse Britain's government of mostly ignoring China's poor human rights record in the interest of boosting trade. VOA Europe correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

Britain Gives Grand Welcome to Chinese Leader

Chinese President Xi Jinping has received a sumptuous welcome in London, marking what both countries are hailing as a golden age of good relations and trade. VOA Europe correspondent Luis Ramirez reports from London.

EU Membership More Elusive Than Ever for Turkey

Crackdown on Kurdish minority and media ahead of next month’s parliamentary elections fuels longstanding skepticism

Turmoil in Turkey Makes Its EU Entry More Elusive Than Ever

Moves by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to clamp down on the Kurdish minority and on the media ahead of next month’s parliamentary elections are fueling longstanding skepticism among European leaders, with analysts saying the prospect of Turkey joining the European Union seem more distant than ever. VOA Europe correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

China's Xi Addresses British Parliament

Speech part of visit British government is touting as opportunity for two countries to boost trade and investment

Dutch MH17 Investigation Leaves Unanswered Questions

Dutch officials say it was a Russian-made surface-to-air missile that brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 killing all 298 people aboard last year as it flew over eastern Ukraine, where fighting was underway between Russian-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces. The conclusion came in a final report on the investigation released at an air base in the Netherlands on Tuesday. VOA Europe Correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

Dutch Probe: Buk Missile Brought Down MH17

Bombings a Sign of Turkey’s Deep Troubles

With contentious parliamentary elections three weeks away, attacks highlight challenges country is facing

Bombings a Sign of Turkey’s Deep Troubles

Turkey has begun a three-day period of mourning following Saturday’s bomb attacks in the capital, Ankara, that killed nearly 100 people. With contentious parliamentary elections three weeks away, the attacks highlight the challenges Turkey is facing as it struggles with ethnic friction, an ongoing migrant crisis, and growing tensions with Russia. VOA Europe correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

Tunisian Democracy Quartet Wins Nobel Peace Prize

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize has gone to Tunisia’s National Dialogue Quartet for its work in bolstering the North African country’s democratization process following the 2011 Arab Spring. VOA Europe Correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

Tunisian Mediators Win Nobel Prize

Tunisia was first Arab Spring uprising in 2011 and managed a successful democratic transition, while other N. African, Middle East nations are still struggling to regain stability

Russia’s Syria Involvement Raising Concerns in Europe

European nations are joining the United States in demanding that Russia stop targeting opposition groups other than the Islamic State militants as Russian warplanes continue to conduct raids in Syria. The demand came in a statement from Britain, France, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States Friday. VOA Europe correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

Migrant Surge Tests Sweden's Open-Door Policy

Labor ministry working to find asylum seekers jobs, but with 1,000-plus asylum applications coming in daily, Sweden wants other EU nations to pitch in

Migrant Surge Tests Sweden's Open-Door Policy

European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels, trying to reach consensus on boosting aid for Syrian refugees and on border controls. One nation pushing for more even distribution of migrants is Sweden, which is receiving 1,000 asylum applications each day. VOA Europe correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.