Eurasia

ANKARA, Turkey — Its pro-EU reforms and moves to boost women’s rights saved the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) from an attempt this summer to ban it, according to an explanation published in Turkey’s Official Gazette on Friday (October 24th).

ATHENS, Greece — Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos resigned on Thursday (October 23rd) amid accusations he was involved in an improper real-estate deal between the state and the Vatopedi Monastery.

BELGRADE, Serbia — EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed Serbia’s decision to unilaterally implement its interim trade agreement with the EU next year as part of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

BELGRADE, Serbia — By recognising Kosovo’s independence two weeks ago, Montenegro directly interfered with Serbia’s affairs, Serbian President Boris Tadic said on Thursday (October 23rd).

Azerbaijan intends to hold talks on its breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, President Ilham Aliyev said Friday, according to Russian news agencies.

One Russian serviceman was killed and ten others injured in a series of blasts across the North Caucasus republic of Chechnya on Thursday, RIA Novosti news agency reported Friday, citing a police source.

Croatian police continue to examine the crime scene of two murdered journalists in Zagreb. Ivo Pukanic and Niko Franjic died after a bomb was placed under their car. The recent wave of mafia style attacks has prompted Croatia’s Prime Minister to act. Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said: ‘‘There is no …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran and Turkey have resolved problems on planned investment in the South Pars gas field and they may sign a production accord in November.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Moscow accused Washington on Friday of breaking international law and undermining cooperation on Iran’s nuclear program after it imposed sanctions on Russian companies.

(WASHINGTON) — The United States is taking another step toward getting Albania and Croatia — both isolated behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War — folded into the NATO alliance.