U.S. offers new financial assistance to Moldova, GeorgiaJune 7, 2014 - 19:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States is offering new financial assistance to Moldova and Georgia, two former Soviet nations the West seeks to lure toward Europe. Vice President Joe Biden announced the aid in Kiev during meetings with both nations' presidents on the sidelines of the new Ukrainian president's inauguration. Both Moldova and Georgia are pursuing association agreements with the European Union amid a regional crisis over Russia's actions in Ukraine. The White House says an additional $8 million will help Moldova "advance its European aspirations." The U.S. is also sending $5 million to Georgia to help economically vulnerable people living near Russian-controlled breakaway regions. The aid follows President Barack Obama's announcement that the U.S. will work to boost the military capacity of non-NATO countries near Russia, including Moldova and Georgia. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. 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. 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. Mkhitaryan raises arrest of former Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan Inter Milan star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has shared a news story about the extension of the arrest of former Karabakh leaders. |