Russian military inspectors launch mission into Sweden, Finland skiesJune 11, 2012 - 13:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A group of Russian military observers begin on Monday, June 11, a six-day inspection mission in the skies of Sweden and Finland under the Open Skies Treaty, RIA Novosti reported citing the Defense Ministry’s press office. The flights will be implemented on June 11-16 from the Swedish Lulea and Finnish Rovaniemi airports. The maximum flight range will total 1,700 km (1,056 miles) in Sweden and 1,400 km (869 miles) in Finland under the agreed flight routes. “Aboard the (An-30B) aircraft, Russian specialists will exercise control together with their colleagues over the procedure of the use of surveillance system equipment and compliance with existing accords,” the press office said. The Open Skies Treaty, signed in 1992 at the initiative of U.S. President George H.W. Bush, established a regime of unarmed aerial observation flights over the territories of its 34 member states to promote openness and the transparency of military forces and activities. The treaty entered into force on January 1, 2002 and its regime covers the national territories (land, islands, and internal and territorial waters) of all the treaty signatory states. It is an important element of the European security structure. 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 | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. Byblos Bank Armenia celebrates Students' Day with scholarship recipients YSU students who received scholarships from Byblos Bank Armenia gathered in a casual setting to meet with the Bank's CEO, Hayk Stepanyan. |