Soviet Union

A 37-year-old ethnic Greek from the former Soviet Union who had absconded while on a furlough from Felli Prison in Grevena, northwestern Greece, last November was caught by police on Thursday in Menemeni, a suburb of Thessaloniki.

The fugitive is serving time for several burglaries in central Thessaloniki and Menemeni.

Russia's Stroitransgaz said on March 12 it will build a gas pipeline across Macedonia, which could eventually be used as part of a route to supply Europe with Russian gas via Turkey.

When Armenians in the former Republic of the Soviet Union were discussing declaring independence, some objected to it, saying that the moment Armenia declared independence Turkey would attack and kill Armenians.

Strongman Kazakh leader Nursultan Nazarbayev on March 11 confirmed his candidacy for snap April 26 presidential elections that he is expected to win by a landslide.
      

NATO's Black Sea members Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey joined four other alliance states in a multinational naval exercise on March 10 just across the water from the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Russia last year.
   

March 1 marks the celebration of 95 years since the establishment of AzerTAc, the official Azerbaijan state news agency.

Photo credit: (c) azertag.az

AzerTAc was established on March 1, 1920, being the first news agency of Azerbaijan.

Holding placards declaring "I am not afraid", thousands of Russians marched in Moscow on March 1 in memory of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, whose murder has widened a split in society that some say could threaten Russia's future.
   

Moscow says claims Moldova is its "next target" are "absurd"

MOSCOW -- NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Europe's statement about Russia "using frozen conflicts" as an instrument of political pressure are "absurd."

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has been investing in Turkish companies' innovative works to help them become more competitive in the global market, said EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti on Feb. 20 during his Turkey visit.

A senior delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by President Sir Suma Chakrabarti, will visit Turkey on Feb. 19-20 to discuss the bank's investment priorities in Turkey with senior government officials, members of the business community and civil society organizations.