According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has apologised over the downing of a Russian jet last year. “President Putin has received a letter from Turkish President Erdogan where the Turkish leader expresses interest in resolving the situation around the downing of a Russian bomber jet,” Peskov said. Last November, Turkish jets shot down a Russian bomber that Ankara said had crossed over from Syria, although Russia denied its plane had entered Turkish airspace. One of the crew member was killed by ground fire after parachuting out, and a Russian marine was killed in the rescue mission.

At 7 am, Spaniards went to the polls to cast their vote in the in repeated Parliamentary elections. The results can be expected around 9 pm. Voters can choose between several political parties, as the historical elections of last year led to the breakthrough of two new political forces: Unidos Podemos (formerly Podemos) and the Ciudadanos (Citizens), which have challenged the former monopoly of the People's Party (PP) and the Socialists (PSOE). The conservative People's Party (PP) is tipped to win, but again to fall short of a parliamentary majority. This time, however, the next position is expected to be taken by the radical left-wing Unidos Podemos alliance, which made an alliance with Alberto Garzón's United Left (IU). 

On Thursday, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto vetoed a package of anti-corruption laws which includes a provision that that would have required elected politicians and other public officials to reveal their assets, taxes and potential conflicts of interest. The president's legal advisor Humberto Castillejos argued that "The presentation of the declarations of millions and millions of Mexicans, who earn their living honestly would in no way help combat corruption". However, he made no comment on the part of the package which includes the creation of an independent anti-corruption prosecutor and increasing fines and jail time for public officials convicted of bribery, illegal enrichment etc. The president plans to ask Congress for an extraordinary session to discuss changes to the bill.

On 23 June, Norway became the first European country to ratify The Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is a document based on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was negotiated by representatives of 195 countries and finally adopted on 12 December 2015. On 22 April 2016, it was opened for ratification. It enters into force when 55 members ratify it and will replace the current Kyoto Protocol.

On July 21st the United Nations Security Council started the first round of secret “straw pool”. It is the process of voting to choose the next secretary-general who will take over the position after Ban Ki-moon. The second five-years Ban Ki-moon`s term ends on the 31st of December. Behind the scenes, is said that perhaps for the first time the head of the UN will be a woman. Decision is expected to be resolved in October by the 15-member of Security Council. They have to present one nominee to the General Assembly. However the decision will come down to the permanent members - Great Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States. Thanks to the new selection modes, all Member States have the opportunity to ask a question to the candidates. 

On Tuesday 21 June, ambassadors of EU member states made a preliminary decision to extend economic sanctions against Russia for another 6 months until the end of January 2017. The decision has to be approved by the national ministers of foreign affairs in the Council. One of the diplomats said that "It does not seem to require a discussion on this topic at the European Council next week." Therefore, it is expected the approval decision will be taken unanimously next Friday, at a meeting in Luxembourg.