Lavrov says Russia will cooperate with West on fighting terrorismJanuary 21, 2015 - 14:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's Foreign Minister said Moscow is continuing to cooperate with the West on fighting terrorism despite tensions over Ukraine, the Associated Press reports. Sergey Lavrov said in a press conference Wednesday, Jan 21, that Russian security agencies have maintained contacts with counterparts in France, where five Russian citizens from the predominantly Muslim region of Chechnya were arrested in raids Tuesday. Lavrov would not say whether Russia had shared intelligence information that led to the arrests. He emphasized that Russia is also cooperating with other countries in the fight against terrorism, organized crime and other threats, but did not elaborate. Despite tensions with the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin quickly offered his condolences when 12 people were slain at French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo this month, and said Moscow was ready to help France combat terrorism. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |