EU Should Assist South Caucasus States for Better IntegrationMarch 29, 2006 - 20:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The EU should assist the states of the South Caucasus to ensure their better integration, Lithuanian FM Antanas Valionis said. In his words, if Turkey, which borders those states, becomes an EU member, «the membership of those countries will become a barest necessity to the EU.» He also remarked Lithuania and other EU members will consider themselves secure only in case neighboring eastern states have market economy and democracy. «Some countries, particularly Russia, unfortunately think their security depends on strong pressure upon neighboring states and manipulating these. Democracy in Russia is of vital importance and I openly told it Putin,» Valionis said, adding the same refers to Belarus, reports RFE/RL. 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”. |