Merkel due to arrive in Ukraine for talksAugust 23, 2014 - 11:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to arrive in Ukraine for talks, a day after calling Russia's decision to send an unauthorised aid convoy there a "dangerous escalation", BBC News reports. More than 100 Russian lorries entered eastern Ukraine on Friday, Aug 22, without permission from Ukraine's government. Some of the lorries have now begun crossing back into Russia. Kiev and Western officials fear the convoy could be part of a general military intervention by Russia. But Kremlin officials say it is only carrying generators, food and drink. The lorries had already been waiting at the border for a week. The Russians said they could not wait any longer, owing to the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, which is held by pro-Russian militias. The first lorries have now reached the besieged city of Luhansk. Four months of fighting in the region have left more than 2,000 people dead and caused more than 330,000 people to flee their homes. 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 | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Yeremyan Projects opens state-of-the-art dairy production plant Yeremyan Projects officially launched the Yeremyan Products state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Yerevan on May 24. Armenian PM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Vanadzor The helicopter transporting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an emergency landing in Vanadzor. |