Russia to hand over Kaczynski plane wreckage to PolandDecember 20, 2013 - 09:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The wreckage of a plane that crashed in Russia in 2010, killing Poland’s then-president, Lech Kaczynski, will be handed over to Poland after the completion of a thorough investigation next year, Russia’s top diplomat said, accoridng to RIA Novosti. The investigation, carried out by Russian and Polish officials, has been extended until April 2014, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Warsaw after a meeting of a committee on Russian-Polish cooperation. “We want this investigation to be really thorough so that no unresolved issues are left upon its completion,” Lavrov said. “It is especially important in light of the continuing hysteria around this tragedy,” the minister said. Lavrov added that Russian and Polish “competent bodies” had been discussing “technical and logistical issues related to the transportation of the debris from Russia to Poland.” The Russian-made Tu-154 passenger plane, carrying Kaczynski, his wife and a host of top officials, crashed in heavy fog as it attempted to land at an airfield near Smolensk on April 10, 2010. The delegation was flying to Smolensk to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1940 Katyn massacre of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet secret police. All 96 people aboard the plane died. In its probe into the air crash, the Moscow-based Interstate Aviation Committee said the Polish flight crew was responsible for the accident. Poland, which carried out a separate investigation, partially blamed Russian air traffic controllers. Related links: 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. |