  U.S. Defense Secretary to visit Israel this month – report April 9, 2013 - 09:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will pay a first visit to Israel since taking office later this month to bolster the allies' cooperation in the Middle East, Reuters reported citing an Israeli official. Hagel and his counterpart, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon who is also newly appointed, discussed the visit by phone last month, the Israeli Defence Ministry said. The official said Hagel would visit between April 21-23. Hagel's visit will follow a trip by Secretary of State John Kerry who is currently visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories to try to restart long-stalled peace talks and after a visit last month by President Barack Obama. Iran's perceived nuclear threat, an issue that is regularly on the agenda between the two allies, is certain to feature highly in discussions. The United States heavily funds Israeli missile defence systems that protect against short-range rockets and missiles that militants in the Gaza Strip launch at Israel, as well as the threat of long-range missiles.   Top stories On June 10, Azerbaijani President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will leave for Turkey on a working visit. 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).   Partner news |  Latest news Armenia congratulates “friendly people of Belarus” on Independence Day  The Armenian Foreign Mnisitry has congratulated the “friendly people of Belarus” on Independence Day.Armenian wrestlers win 3 medals at U20 European Championships The Armenian team has won 3 medals at the U20 European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships.Ameriabank, COAF pool efforts to develop beekeeping in Lori COAF and Ameriabank have presented their joint program Harvesting Nature’s Bounty.Armenian, Georgian Foreign Ministers meet in Tbilisi The meeting of Ararat Mirzoyan and Ilia Darchiashvili, is underway in Tbilisi, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reveals. |
