NATO SEARCHING FOR NEW WAYS TO SETTLE KARABAKH CONFLICTSeptember 9, 2004 - 20:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO is searching for new ways to settle the Karabakh conflict, North Atlantic Alliance European Command General Frank Boland stated when commenting on the outcomes of US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's visit to the South Caucasian region. In his words, the major priority of the Alliance in the region is the establishment of peace and stability. F. Boland also stated that the US and NATO are going to launch a new program of assistance to the former USSR republics. "We intend to increase the amount of aid to Azerbaijan within the frames of this program", the General noted. As for NATO exercise in Azerbaijan to be held this September, in his words, all the preparation works are nearly finished. "We hope Azerbaijan will completely fulfill the obligations it has undertaken," General Boland summed up. 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 | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |