Middle East

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, speaking to public broadcaster ERT following his Qatar visit, emphasized the challenging circumstances for the region amidst Middle East turmoil, expressing concerns about hostilities extending to Lebanon and Syria. He stressed the urgency of an immediate ceasefire, citing threats to Red Sea navigation.

Acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and former Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel have reiterated Bulgaria's commitment to stability in the region and support for Ukraine. Their remarks came in separate statements addressed to participants of the Vienna Economic Forum - Sofia Meeting 2024.

Israel and Iran accused one another Sunday at the United Nations of being the main threat to peace in the Middle East, each calling on the Security Council to impose sanctions on their sworn enemy.

Parliamentary Speaker Konstantinos Tassoulas has expressed Greece's concern over developments in the Middle East in a meeting with Arab ambassadors and attaches in Athens.

"Greece is concerned about a possible spread of the war in the region. In addition, increased migration flows to the European Union is among the possible repercussions of the crisis," Tassoulas noted.

Dust clouds have covered the skies of southeastern provinces, while the visibility range has decreased due to the dust transportation from Syria.

Layers of dust coated vehicles and apartment balconies in the provinces of Şırnak, Bingöl, Mardin and Tunceli late on May 23.

A traffic jam in Kyiv, Ukraine, 24 February 2022. EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

At midday on Thursday there were already reports from Poland about trains arriving in Warsaw this morning full of Ukrainians, with some saying these tickets were purchased days ago in expectation of a Russian invasion.

A member of the Polish Border Guard is seen exiting his vehicle near the border with Belarus on 14 August, 2021 in Zubrzyca Wielka, Poland. Photo: Jaap Arriens

According to the statement dated August 18, the Interior Ministry said 2,100 people had "attempted to illegally enter Poland" via the border with Belarus so far this month.

The European Union should agree on imposing sanctions on Turkey by the year-end in order to deter Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from jeopardizing the regional peace any further, European Parliament Vice President Dimitrios Papadimoulis told Sputnik.

The Palestinian Authority has cut all ties with the United States and Israel, including those relating to security, after rejecting a Middle East peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Feb. 1.

Abbas was in Cairo to address the Arab League, which backed the Palestinians in their opposition to Trump's plan.

Palestine's leadership vowed on Jan. 23 not to recognize any Middle East peace plan it had previously rejected, warning the U.S. and Israel against announcing such a deal.