International relations

The Greek section of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) transporting natural gas from Azerbaijan to Greece, Albania, Italy and points beyond in western Europe is ready and will begin trial operations in early December.

During this so-called commissioning phase, small volumes of natural gas will go through the pipeline to ensure commercial use is safe.

The ratification process for NATO accession documents is scheduled to be completed early next year, Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, quoted by RIA Novosti.

The U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of State Official Blog DipNote praises Bulgaria as an ally on which America can depend. The Department of State DipNote states that the Republic of Bulgaria and the United States have cultivated a relationship that is a paradigm of the close ties America enjoys with NATO Allies.

As part of its plans to implement a stricter legal framework regarding asylum and border controls, the government aims to create between six and 10 closed pre-departure centers and is planning to recruit 400 border guards in the Evros region, 500 new asylum officers on the islands and mainland, as well 800 officers to guard sea borders and the centers.

The European Union on Nov. 19 called on all sides in Hong Kong to exercise restraint and said that any violence is "unacceptable".

With NATO accession close at hand, North Macedonia is hard at work making changes to the way its military and intelligence service work.

The Bucharest Court of Appeal has admitted the nullity of the retrocession of 12 hectares of the Bucharest Sector 3 IOR Park, Sector mayor Robert Negoita said on Friday in a press briefing delivered right near the respective plot. "It is a great day for all District 3 residents and, I could say, even for Bucharesters and Romania.

Russia is ready to "quickly" react over Turkey's concerns in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Speaking to reporters in Brazil following the BRICS Summit on Nov. 14, Putin said he is "in close contact" with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the Syrian settlement.

UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard on Nov. 14 sharply criticized German and French leaders for their "cowardly" silence on the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says NATO does not support his country in the fight against terrorism.