Erdogan discusses situation in Syria with counterparts Putin and Trump

The topic related to the future of Syria was central to the talks in Moscow between Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Russia’s President Putin supported Turkey’s demand for a security zone in Syria and added that the two countries can work together to manufacture the Su-35 and Su-57 fighter aircraft. Presidents Erdogan and Putin agreed on joint actions in Syria. Later, President Erdogan discussed the Syria topic with US President Donald Trump in a phone conversation. The two leaders emphasized the necessity for protection of the civil population in Idlib and agreed to continue their cooperation, in order to avoid humanitarian crisis in this region. Turkey’s President Erdogan is worried that the offensive of Syrian government units against Al-Qaeda Islamists in the Northern part of Syria may trigger another refugee wave towards the Syria-Turkey border. In his words, nearly 3.5 million people in Syria are facing humanitarian crisis.

EU Foreign Ministers: The European Union should start accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania

The European Union should start accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, some Ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU member states said at the informal meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) in Helsinki, despite the fears that the countries are lagging in the fight against corruption and organized crime. The EU should be interested in this region, Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas said and added: It is important to stop others, who are not necessarily sharing our values, to expand their influence in the region. The French President Emmanuel Macron shared a similar position at a meeting with the French Ambassadors at the Elysee Palace. Macron invited the French Ambassadors to get more geographically involved in the development of the Western Balkans. We should not allow other non-European powers to take the decisions instead of us. Otherwise, the USA, Russia and Turkey will decide on the Western Balkans, President Macron said.

Early Parliamentary elections to be held in Kosovo on October 6

Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci issued a decree to schedule early Parliamentary elections in this country on October 6. Last month Premier Ramush Haradinaj resigned before he was questioned by an international prosecutor on his role in the war against Serbia from 1998 to 1999. Later, the Kosovo Parliament voted in favor of its dissolution.

North Macedonia and Serbia launch integrated border crossing Tabanovce-Presevo

The Premiers of North Macedonia and Serbia Zoran Zaev and Ana Brnabic unveiled an integrated border crossing Tabanovce-Presevo. During the ceremony, the two Premiers said that the new facility will reduce the time necessary for document check by half which will make the business easier, increase tourist flow and boost regional cooperation.

Eighty-one-year-old Greek windsurfer sails from Skala Kefallonias in the Ionian Sea to Kyllini on a windsurfing board

Eighty-one-year-old Greek windsurfer Anastasia Gerolymatou entered the Guinness Book of Records by sailing from Skala Kefallonias in the Ionian Sea to Kyllini on a windsurfing board. Gerolymatou covered the distance of 18 sea miles for nearly 6 hours. I like what I did. This was an old dream. I spent nearly 6 hours in the sea, but time went so quick. Now, I pass the baton to the young with the message never to give up in life, no matter the difficulties, Anastasia Gerolymatou said in a video message.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov