NATO head, Russian FM due to hold talks in BrusselsMay 19, 2015 - 13:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO officials say the alliance secretary-general will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the first such contacts since they met in January, the Associated Press reports. According to one NATO official, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg and Lavrov will meet Tuesday, May 19, in Brussels, and are expected to discuss NATO-Russia relations, including military-to-military lines of communications and the need for transparency in military activities. The NATO official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with alliance custom, said the talks will also address the importance of fully implementing the Minsk agreements, which are designed to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine. NATO accuses Russia of backing the rebels in Ukraine's east, and relations between the alliance and Russia have dropped to their lowest point since the Cold War. 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. |