Turkish PM says rallies delayed his plans to visit GazaJune 25, 2013 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey’s Prime Minister said a wave of demonstrations at home have delayed preparations for his planned visit to Gaza, The Associated Press reports. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday, June 25, however, that he intends to press ahead with the visit and could “make a surprise any time.” Erdogan has long said he wants to visit Gaza, despite concerns by the United States that the visit could strengthen the militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, and harm Palestinian reconciliation efforts. Washington also fears that the visit could undo a truce it brokered between Israel and Turkey earlier this year. Erdogan said: “Gaza is ready. We could not be ready because of the (protests).” Turkey was hit by weeks of anti-government demonstrations triggered by a heavy-handed police clampdown on peaceful demonstrators. 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 | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |