Azerbaijan

The state of freedom in 2014 worsened significantly in many parts of the world, U.S. think-tank Freedom House?s annual report has said, emphasizing the impact President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has had on the decline of democracy in Turkey.

The number of foreign nationals applying for Bulgarian citizenship fell by a quarter last year, Vice President Margarita Popova said on Wednesday.

The year 2015 will provide more than one occasion for Turkey and neighboring Azerbaijan to show off the strength of their bilateral cooperation, not only in the global political arena but also in the global economic field.

Short films will be screened simultaneously in more than 200 cities and more than 20 countries around the world, including Turkey, during the Art By Chance Ultra Short Film Festival Packing a punch into just half a minute, ultra-short films aren't coming to a theater near you, but somewhere even closer: Everywhere in the urban space.

Talks between Kerry - accompanied by Assistant US Secretary of State Victoria Nuland - and Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov are intended to underline Washington's commitment to helping Bulgaria resist Russian influence.

Hungary wants talks with Serbia about new pipeline

BUDAPEST, BELGRADE -- Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto expects "intensifying talks with Turkey, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia about a potential new pipeline."

The pipeline "could follow that route to central Europe," Reuters reported.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an will pay consecutive official visits to Ethiopia and Djibouti later this month, marking his first official visits this year.

The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, will host the first European Games in history, between June 12-28, 2015, reports the correspondent of the AzerTAg, Iqbal Haciyev.

Over 6,000 athletes will compete for 239 medals. Furthermore, on the occasion of the Games, Azerbaijan will host 3,000 official representatives of the teams competing.

On the occasion of his 113rd birthday, legendary Turkish poet Naz?m Hikmet will be commemorated with a series of events in Istanbul.

BELGRADE - Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDS) Boris Tadic said that several major steps important for the future of the country were made in 2014, primarily in terms of macroeconomic policy, but he also said that the atmosphere in the society is difficult and is not stimulating for business and economic development.