Over 43,500 are the already established victims of the earthquakes in Turkey

According to the latest data, more than 43,500 people died as a result of the earthquakes with the epicenter Kahramanmaras in Turkey, reports the Turkish Radio and Television.

Since the February 6 tragedy, 22 field hospitals from 19 countries have been set up in the affected areas. According to economists, the earthquake could cost Ankara up to 100 billion dollars to rebuild housing and infrastructure, reports BNT.

Turkey is currently investigating construction contractors suspected of violating safety standards that led to the huge number of victims, Reuters reported, citing Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu. So far, there are more than 560 suspected entrepreneurs, as 160 have been arrested.

German Foreign and Interior Ministers Annalena Baerbock and Nancy Faeser visited earthquake-hit Kahramanmaras. The aid granted by Germany to Turkey to deal with the severe crisis reached 108 million euros. In addition to this aid, according to BNT, Berlin plans to speed up the issuance of visas for earthquake victims who want to visit relatives in Germany for several months. The largest Turkish diaspora in the world is precisely in Germany.

Miroslav Lajcak invites Serbia and Kosovo to a dialogue in Brussels

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell has planneda high-level meeting in the framework of the dialogue for the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina on Monday, February 27, in Brussels. Participation has been confirmed by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.

"The plan that I think we will adopt will become binding for both countries. After it, the process of comprehensive normalization of relations will continue, which should end with the signing of a comprehensive agreement before the entry of Serbia and Kosovo into the EU," announced Miroslav Lajčák.

Vucic warned that at the meeting he would stick to the red lines on the issue of Kosovo, BTA reports. The red lines are the implementation of the signed Brussels agreement, not recognizing the independence of Kosovo and not allowing its admission to the UN, as well as ensuring the safety of the Serbs in Kosovo.

A Greek-style boycott against high food prices

The prices of dairy products in Greece have increased by 50-80% compared to last year. "Buying 1 liter of milk and 1 kg of cheese in Greece is already a great luxury," commented Katya Peeva, the BNR correspondent there. This has prompted the country's Consumers Union to invite people to limit their purchase of dairy products from all companies for a week. The outcome for the companies is yet to be announced, but what is known is that prices have not been raised during the boycott period.

A one-month boycott was announced by the Consumers' Union also for the major grocery chains that were included in the "black list" published by the Greek Ministry of Development. Companies in it have raised prices illogically and even twice in a week. For one of these chains alone, the fine for unfair practices amounts to 319,000 euros.

"At the beginning of this boycott - on February 18, Saturday, a day when Greeks do a lot of shopping, there were single customers in the big stores. In this regard, the Greeks are very organized," says Katya Peeva.

Along with the Greek example, calls for a boycott against the high prices were also heard in Bulgaria. Another question is whether such a thing can happen in Bulgaria.

A tanker arrested in Albania on suspicion of transporting Russian oil

The Albanian police have arrested a Liberian-flagged tanker suspected of transporting sanctioned oil of Russian origin. The arrest was the first since the EU embargo on oil and oil products from the Russian Federation came into force and took place in the Adriatic port of Durres.

The operation, codenamed "Embargo", was carried out on the basis of information received from police intelligence. The tanker had departed from Azerbaijan and was then loaded with 22,500 tons of oil from another vessel at the port of Kalamata in Greece. The Albanian police note that the cargo was transported without the necessary documentation.

The crew of 22 people has been detained until the case is clarified.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

Photos: EPA/BGNES, Facebook/ MiroslavLajčák, Facebook/ Policia e Shtetit