Germany plans to create 8bn euro emergency fundJune 13, 2013 - 18:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A German official said the country plans to create an 8 billion euro ($10.6 billion) emergency fund to pay for damage caused by recent flooding, The Associated Press reported. Thuringia state Governor Christine Lieberknecht gave the figure Thursday after a meeting of the leaders of Germany's 16 states and the country's finance minister. She said financing details have yet to be finalized. The Elbe, the Danube and other rivers overflowed their banks following persistent heavy rain, causing extensive damage over the past two weeks in southern and northeastern Germany. The water is now slowly receding. Fitch Ratings earlier this week estimated that the cost of damage in Germany would total about 12 billion euros. The Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary also have been hit by floods. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |