Kerry, Lavrov to discuss Syria in ParisMay 24, 2013 - 17:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Secretary of State John Kerry will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov next week in Paris to discuss peace talks in Syria, according to The Associated Press. U.S. officials say they want to advance efforts to start talks between the Syrian government and opposition leaders. The officials say Kerry will extend a seven-day trip through the Middle East and Africa by one day to dine Monday with Lavrov. The U.S. wants to convince Syrian rebel leaders to attend the planned peace talks in Geneva next month. The Russians have been pressing Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime to attend as well. The U.S. hopes that by bringing both parties to the negotiating table, it will make progress on a political transition that could end more than two years of civil war. 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 | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |