World news

21 January 2010 [16:13]

Turkish official says Armenia court ruling harms protocols

The Constitutional Court's decision has hurt the process, Mercan said.
21 January 2010 [16:07]

OSCE hails Georgia's Public TV GDP-based funding

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, welcomed Georgia’s decision to reintroduce public broadcaster’s funding system linked to the country’s GDP.
21 January 2010 [15:45]

Turkey says "not to allow" GMO import below EU standards

Turkey stated that it would "not allow" import of any genetically modified organisms which were not appropriate to EU standards.
21 January 2010 [15:31]

Russian investments in Armenia to reach $5 billion

Russian trade representative in Armenia Alexander Zaytsev presented 2009 bilateral economic relations’ outcomes and prospects for 2010 on Jan. 21.
21 January 2010 [15:22]

'Iran's Bushehr plant to come on stream by late September'

Director of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi says the Bushehr nuclear power plant will be operational within the next few months.
21 January 2010 [14:53]

New CEC chairperson and members introduced in Georgia

Georgia's Vice speaker Rusudan Kervalishvili introduced new chairperson and members of CEC on behalf of parliament on Jan. 20.
21 January 2010 [14:15]

N-swap deal still on the table, IAEA says

The UN atomic watchdog says that a UN-brokered deal for nuclear swap between Iran and the West is "still on the table."
21 January 2010 [14:06]

Armenia's budget deficit comprises 7.4 percent of GDP

In 2009, Armenia's budget deficit comprised 7.4 percent of GDP, 2009 report by the Armenian Ministry of Finance said.
21 January 2010 [13:33]

Euronews TV to start broadcasting in Turkish

Turkish state-run TRT is the fourth biggest partner of the Euronews under an agreement signed in 2008.
21 January 2010 [13:05]

Iran enters gas talks with Iraq

Iran has entered into talks with Iraq for supplying its neighbor with natural gas, a senior Iranian gas official says.
21 January 2010 [12:44]

Armenia's Economy Ministry presents economic growth programs

In its 2009 report the Armenian Ministry of Economy indicated programs providing for tendencies to economic growth.
21 January 2010 [12:06]

Opposition Alliance for Georgia accuses government of interference into Ukraine's domestic affairs

Pro-opposition Alliance for Georgia demands to bring to responsibility Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and chairman of parliamentary Committee for Defense and SecurityGivi Targamadze.
21 January 2010 [11:56]

Kazakhstan desires joint maneuvers with Turkey

Kazakhstan expressed its wish to carry out joint maneuvers with Turkey.
21 January 2010 [11:49]

Iran, Pakistan to sign gas pipeline deal 'next week'

Pakistani Federal Minister for Petroleum Naveed Qamar has declared that Iran and Pakistan have finalized an agreement to build a natural gas pipeline.
21 January 2010 [11:07]

Armenian parliamentary speaker delists opposition party member from PACE delegation

On Jan. 15, Armenian Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan signed a decree approving Armenian delegation members to PACE.
21 January 2010 [10:55]

Delegation of Egyptian businessmen to travel to Georgia

Delegation of Egyptian businessmen intends to visit Georgia in March to get acquainted with the country's business potential and investment climate.
21 January 2010 [10:42]

Iranian FM: Post-WWII economic theories obsolete

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says adopting regional approaches can ensure sustainable security and stability in the Caucasus region.
21 January 2010 [10:38]

Turkey's IHH to take care of 700 Haitian orphans

A Turkish aid organisation will be looking after 700 orphans in destroyed Haiti by a strong earthquake.
21 January 2010 [09:54]

Georgia deplores extraditing Iranian citizen to U.S.

Tbilisi apologized to Tehran for extraditing Iranian citizen to the U.S, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said.
21 January 2010 [09:45]

Turkey says not to backtrack on smoking ban

Turkey's health minister said Wednesday government had no plans to soften country's smoking ban.
21 January 2010 [09:36]

Iran's 5th fleet to head for Gulf of Aden

The Iranian military has announced plans to dispatch a fifth fleet of warships to the Gulf of Aden to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia.
20 January 2010 [18:00]

Turkey willing to lift visa requirement with Saudi Arabia

Asked if mutual visa requirement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia would be ended, Erdogan said that a development would take place involving diplomats and businesspeople.
20 January 2010 [17:49]

UEFA to open exhibition in Turkey's Istanbul

The Union of European Football Federations will inaugurate an exhibition in Istanbul on Thursday.
20 January 2010 [17:15]

Turkey sets new date for Presidential Cycling Tour

The 46th Presidential Cycling Tour in Turkey is set to run between April 11 and 18, 2010, Turkish Cycling Federation said Wednesday.
20 January 2010 [16:52]

Iran denies gas deal with Germany

The National Iranian Gas Company has denied the reported signing of a one billion euro gas contract with Germany to improve its gas distribution grid.
20 January 2010 [16:18]

Turkey's high-speed trains carry one mln passengers

High-speed trains, which started operating between capital Ankara and central Anatolian province of Eskisehir in March 2009, have carried 1 million passengers in 10 months.
20 January 2010 [15:37]

Turkish envoy meets Iranian official in Tehran

The secretary of Iran's Expediency Council and the Turkish ambassador posted in the Iranian capital held talks on Turkish-Iranian relations on Tuesday.
20 January 2010 [15:24]

Ahmadinejad urges unity among regional states

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stresses the importance of strengthening unity among regional countries to foil enemies' plots in the region.
20 January 2010 [15:13]

Turkish-US consortium to build Kosovo's first highway

The 117-kilometer highway will link Kosovo with Albania in the south and Serbia in the east.
20 January 2010 [15:08]

Three-storey house collapses in Tbilisi

A three-storey house collapsed in Tbilisi on Wednesday morning.
20 January 2010 [15:00]

Turkey's PM says Armenia in attempt to damage protocols

Erdogan said Armenia attempted to make an operation on the protocols signed recently by Turkey and Armenia.
20 January 2010 [14:17]

Georgian PM meets with Egyptian counterpart

Georgia's Prime Minister Nikoloz Gilauri held meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazif in the course of his visit to Egypt.
20 January 2010 [14:00]

Turkey says UK ruling may lead Greeks to quit Cyprus peace talks

"Such a decision may result in the Greek Cypriot administration's withdrawal from the goal of a solution", Turkish statement said.
20 January 2010 [13:55]

US says latest Iran talks were constructive

The United States has declared that the P5+1 group's latest talks on the nuclear standoff with Iran have been constructive.
20 January 2010 [13:35]

Armenia, UAE discuss agricultural cooperation

As part of the World Future Energy Summit, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan met UAE Minister of Nature Protection Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahadi.
20 January 2010 [13:27]

Georgian president to visit Estonia

The Georgian leader will meet with his Estonian counterpart, PM and speaker in Vilnius on Jan. 20.
20 January 2010 [12:57]

Tbilsi mayor accuses Russian Newsweek of wrong interpretation of his words

Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava accuses Russian Newsweek of wrong interpretation of his words.
20 January 2010 [12:32]

Iran wants world action against war crimes in Gaza

Iran's foreign minister said Tuesday that the international community must move to prosecute Israeli authorities over the war crimes committed during the 2008-2009 incursion into the Gaza Strip.
20 January 2010 [12:20]

Turkey to send $1 mln-aid to flood-hit Northern Cyprus

Turkey will send a financial aid of 1 million USD to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus following recent flood disaster.
20 January 2010 [11:56]

Georgian PM trips to Egypt

Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri headed for Egypt with an official visit on Jan. 19.
20 January 2010 [11:48]

Armenian gunman shot dead on contact line of Azerbaijani, Armenian armies

An Armenian gunman was shot dead while trying to cross over the contact line towards Fuzuli region of Azerbaijan.
20 January 2010 [11:34]

Iran denies Russian fighter airspace access

Iran denied passage to a Russian Su-27 fighter even though its flight plan had been cleared in advance, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
20 January 2010 [11:28]

Turkey, Saudi Arabia agree on health cooperation

Turkey and Saudi Arabia have agreed to launch preliminary works for cooperation in health sector, Turkey's health minister said on Tuesday.
20 January 2010 [11:18]

Armenian Armed Forces break ceasefire

20 January 2010 [11:12]

Armenian FM meet with OSCE MG co-chairs

20 January 2010 [11:00]

Estonians protest Georgian president's visit

Activists of a number of Estonian public organizations campaign against Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's visit to their country.
20 January 2010 [10:45]

Ahmadinejad blames US for global air pollution

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday blamed the capitalist systems and US policies as the main causes of air pollution in the world.
20 January 2010 [10:33]

Turkey says arrested 13 al-Qaida suspects in raids

Turkish police arrested 13 suspected al-Qaida members in an operation in the capital city of Ankara, officials said on Tuesday.
20 January 2010 [10:15]

Armenian FM says he is surprised at Turkish Foreign Ministry's statement

Armenian Foreign Minister says he is surprised at Turkish Foreign Ministry's statement.
20 January 2010 [10:05]

Georgia establishes diplomatic relations with Peru, Botsvana

Georgia and the Republic of Botsvana signed joint communiqué to establish diplomatic relations on Jan. 15.
20 January 2010 [09:47]

'Russian fighter jet allowed to fly over Iran'

Iran has agreed to allow a Russian fighter jet to use its airspace to get to an international air show in Bahrain, a Russian website reported.
20 January 2010 [09:34]

EU to train Turkish central bank officials

The European Commission will train central bank officials of candidate countries, including Turkey.
19 January 2010 [22:00]

Health minister says swine flu cases down in Turkey

Turkey's health minister said Tuesday swine flu infections have petered out in the country.
19 January 2010 [20:46]

Iran symphony to play in Europe for peace

A unique collection of some of the leading Iranian classical musicians has planned to perform a Peace and Friendship Symphony in Europe in the near future.
19 January 2010 [20:27]

Iran humanitarian aid arrives in Haiti

Iran's Red Crescent Society says about 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid including food, tents and medicine in the company of a group of rescuers arrived in Haiti.
19 January 2010 [19:55]

Turkey calls for mutual visa removal with Egypt

Ergun said the visa requirement between Turkey and Egypt must be ended.
19 January 2010 [19:33]

Iran sees traces of 'realism' in nuclear talks

After world powers failed to agree on new sanctions against Iran, Tehran says the parties involved in the UN-backed talks on Iran's nuclear program were showing ”traces of realism.”
19 January 2010 [19:17]

Erdogan calls on Saudi businessmen to invest in Turkey

The Turkish prime minister expressed his assurance on Tuesday to raise trade volume with Saudi Arabia.
19 January 2010 [18:52]

Foreigners to invest $20bn in Iran's oil, gas

Iran has received proposals worth around $20 billion for investment in its oil and gas sector from foreign companies, the Iranian oil minister has announced.
19 January 2010 [18:49]

Turkey expects "natural gas gesture" from Iran, Russia

The Turkish energy minister said on Tuesday that Turkey expected gesture from Russia and Iran regarding natural gas.
19 January 2010 [18:05]

Freedom of Speech Committee says 11 journalists assaulted in Armenia in 2009

The Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech presented its annual report on the state of freedom of speech in Armenia on Jan. 19.
19 January 2010 [17:54]

Georgian president: Ukraine will remain Georgia's ally

No matter who wins in Ukraine’s second round of presidential elections, Kiev will remain Georgia’s “ally and a friend,” President Saakashvili said on Jan. 18.
19 January 2010 [17:49]

Turkey boosts flour exports by 50 pc to S.African region

Turkish flour producers increased exports by 50 percent after entering the markets in south of the African continent.
19 January 2010 [17:25]

Germany builds turbo compressors in Iran

An Iranian gas official says the country has inked a one billion euro gas contract with Germany for the manufacture, installation and launch of 100 gas turbo compressors in Iran.
19 January 2010 [17:00]

Georgia to be advertised on BBC, CNN

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili stated that ten winter and several ski resorts would function in the country in 5-6 years.
19 January 2010 [16:52]

More Turkish rescue teams arrive in Haiti

The number of Turkish rescue teams in Haiti rose to four by Tuesday.