11 July: Armenia has recognised the new state of Southern Sudan. In a statement Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated “The proclamation of Southern Sudan independence is a perfect implementation of inalienable rights of equality and self-determination
9 July: Georgian Interior Ministry says that the three journalists detained on Thursday spied for Russia. One of them is the personal photographer of President Saakashvili (Rfe/rl)
9 July: The Speaker of the Turkish Parliament Cemil Cicek said that he hopes that the crisis that has seen opposition members boycotting parliament will be resolved by Monday (Hurriyet Daily News)
8 July: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has arrived in Armenia where he is expected to meet the President and Foreign Minister; he is also expected to visit Baku later (agencies)