Recep Erdogan: Russia’s actions are contrary to international law

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan called Russia’s military action on Ukraine “unacceptable”. Erdogan made a speech at a meeting with the delegation of the International Union of Democrats in Ankara. “This step, which we see as contrary to international law, is a blow to the regional stability and peace”, Recep Erdogan noted. He called on Russia and Ukraine to resolve conflicts via a dialogue and reiterated support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, a Turkish bulk carrier was hit by a missile off Odessa while en route to Romania, announced CNN Turk, adding that no people were reported injured during the incident. The vessel continued voyage.

Romania’s MPs united in condemning Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine

All political parties in Romania’s Parliament, from the ruling coalition and the opposition, condemned Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. The authorities in northeastern Suceava County are ready to receive and accommodate several hundred refugees from Ukraine, if necessary, and the number of places can be supplemented up to thousands depending on the situation on the ground, BTA informs, referring to Agerpres. Radio Romania announced that Ukraine is home to an ethnic Romanian minority of more than 400,000 people.

North Macedonia’s Foreign Ministry illuminated in the colors of Ukraine’s national flag

“February 24 is a sad day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe. With the attack on Ukraine, the Kremlin has once again grossly violated international law bringing suffering and destruction to its immediate neighbors and violating Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders. Such actions have called into question the peace on our continent. War and fire are no joke and the use of force and coercion has no place in the 21^st century”, North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani wrote on Facebook. North Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Skopje was illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian national flag in support and solidarity with Ukraine.

Greece calls for extraordinary meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers

Greece has urged France, which holds the rotating Presidency of the European Union, to call an emergency meeting of EU Energy Ministers to discuss a collective response to surging energy prices, a trend now further exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reports. Greece’s call was supported by Bulgaria and Romania. “This is a crisis situation, which requires an EU level response”, Greece’s Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas wrote in a letter addressed to French Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili.

Cyprus expresses concerns that Ukraine conflict will affect its tourism

Cyprus expressed concerns that the deepening crisis in the Ukraine-Russia relations will have a negative effect on its tourism sector, BGNES informs. The Covid-19 pandemic, which has continued for the third year, has had a negative impact on this country’s tourism. The sector relies on Russian tourists and Russia is the island’s second-largest tourist market. Half a million Russian nationals visited Cyprus in 2021. Forecasts for 2022 were even more optimistic, as chartered flights will resume on March 1.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov