EU foreign policy chief to visit IsraelOctober 22, 2012 - 15:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials on Wednesday, Oct 24, and Thursday as a part of a five-day visit to the Middle East, The Jerusalem Post reported. Ashton is scheduled to meet in Jerusalem with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The EU foreign affairs chief will also meet with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. "This is a critical time for the wider Middle East. The close cooperation between the European Union and our partners in the region is essential to help us deal with the political, strategic and humanitarian challenges we face at this time. The objective of this trip is to take this cooperation forward as effectively as possible," Ashton said. 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 Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Armenian PM sends condolences to Iran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a message of condolence to the Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. |