Moscow warns of retaliatory measures on NATO missile defenceNovember 1, 2011 - 19:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Moscow reiterated its warning on Tuesday, Nov 1 that it would have to take “retaliatory measures” if the United States and NATO continue to ignore its position on a missile defense system in Europe. “We are ready to continue the missile defense dialogue with the United States and NATO,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Serbian newspaper Vecernje Novosti. “However, if our partners continue to ignore our position, we will have to ensure our own security interests using other methods.” “Forced retaliatory military-technical measures may be needed,” Lavrov said. Moscow has been irked by U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Europe. Russia proposed a joint missile defense system, an idea that many experts both at home and abroad dismiss as unviable and unrealistic. Then it demanded “legally binding guarantees” that U.S./NATO missiles would not be targeted at Russia. Since Moscow’s proposal received a lukewarm response in the West, it has been warning of unspecified low-cost “asymmetric measures” to counter the future Western missile defense system, RIA Novosti reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia considers Cyprus as one of its main partners in EU - envoy Armenia considers Cyprus one of its main partners in the European Union, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan has said. Armenian, Albanian Foreign Ministers discuss ties, regional issues Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani. POLITICO: Baku lobbying agains detained Karabakh ex-leader abroad Azerbaijan is lobbying agains former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan, according to POLITICO. Armenia confirms will attend NATO summit in Washington Armenia has confirmed its participation in the NATO summit in Washington, a spokesperson has confirmed. |