China to participate in international conference on Syria crisisMay 27, 2013 - 16:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China plans to take part in the upcoming international conference on Syria proposed earlier by Russia and the United States, Hong Lei, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Monday, May 27, according to RIA Novosti. He said Beijing was “ready to cooperate with other parties in promoting the soonest resolution of the Syrian issue in a just and peaceful way,” adding that “China supports all efforts to reach a political settlement of the Syrian crisis.” Together with Russia, China is widely regarded as an ally of Syria, and along with Russia has vetoed three Western-backed Security Council resolutions designed to pressure Syrian President Bashar Assad to end the use of force. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced after a Moscow meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry on May 7 that the two countries had decided to hold an international conference aimed at facilitating a solution through political dialogue to the Syrian crisis, in which more than 80,000 people have died since fighting broke out between government forces and rebels in March 2011. 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, 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. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |