Georgian MFA concerned over Russia's Black Sea drillsMarch 30, 2013 - 09:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday, March 29, that Tbilisi was concerned with Russia’s military drills in the country’s southern Black Sea region this week, RIA Novosti reports. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the snap drills on Thursday, as concerns persist over the combat readiness of the armed forces in Russia. The Georgian ministry said in a statement that Russia’s actions “contradict interests of stability” in Europe and the drills cannot be viewed as a “proportional reaction on possible threats.” Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Alasaniya, however, said on Friday that he saw no threat from Russia’s military drills in the Black Sea region. The Black Sea exercise involves up to 7,000 military personnel, including rapid deployment, airborne and special task forces, more than 30 warships, about 250 armored vehicles, up to 20 pieces of artillery and 20 aircraft. According to international law, exercises of this size do not have to be announced to other countries prior to their beginning. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |