Cuba lifts decades-old travel restrictionsJanuary 14, 2013 - 12:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Cuban authorities have lifted decades-old travel restrictions allowing citizens to go abroad without exits visas and spend more time overseas starting Monday, January 14, accoridng to RIA Novosti. The new measures scrap regulations imposed back in 1961 that obliged Cubans to obtain the exit visa and a letter of invitation from someone in their country of destination. The exit visa fees could total around $300, what is 15 times higher than an average salary in the Communist-run island. Now, the Cubans need a one-time application for a passport worth $100, and renewable for $20 every two years. Under the new rules, the Cubans are allowed to stay abroad up to 24 months without losing their residency rights. The limit was 12 months before the rules were enacted on Monday. The eased rules also repealed travel restrictions for Cuban healthcare professionals, who were not eligible to leave the island without a special permit issued by top officials. The Cuban officials have kept their right to deny trips abroad for those citizens involved in defense, national security and “public interest” as well as famous sportsmen. The new rules also forbid people whose work is related to economic development, scientists and people facing criminal charges to leave. 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 | 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. Azerbaijan extends Rune Vardanyan’s arrest by 5 months A court in Azerbaijan has extended the arrest of former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan by five months. Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |