The presence of an Armenian team at the 1st European games in Azerbaijan is noteworthy and commendable and could only happen with the support of the two governments at the highest political level.

The River Vere overflowed and flooded the Vake-Saburtalo Highway crushing cars. Around thirty animals escaped from Tbilisi Zoo and some continue to roam the streets of the Georgian Capital. Several people died and damage is reported to be substantial.

The first European Games opened Friday in Azerbaijan's capital Baku with an extravagant opening ceremony.

Foreign Minister Nalbandian told the visiting rapporteurs of PACE that the report "could undermine the Co-Chairs’ activities as well as the negotiation process".

The 1st European Games in Baku have brought out the stark contradictions in modern day Azerbaijan. In that sense they have become a defining moment for the country.Beyond the fun and games the government of Azerbaijan has some difficult decisions to make.

Everything is in place for the opening of the biggest international event ever held in Azerbaijan. Among the foreign teams arriving was the one from Armenia.

At a specially convened meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council the EU deplored the decision of the Government of Azerbaijan and requested that it reconsider its decision.

The drills coincide with the opening of the 1st European Games in Baku, scheduled for Friday, where President Putin is also expected to be present.

Turkey should continue to modernise and reform in order to secure its place as a modern and prosperous country, one that has much to give to Europe and the world.

Turkey's ruling AK Party has emerged as the largest party after hotly contested parliamentary elections, but has lost its overall majority in Parliament. The pro-Kurdish HDP comfortably passed the 10% threshold to enter parliament for the first time with up to eighty MPs. The preliminary results, after 99% of the votes were counted give the AK Party 41.3%, the main secularist party, CHP 25.3%, the nationalist MHP 16.7% and HDP 12.1%