Ankara Accuses EU in BlackmailNovember 23, 2006 - 16:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - As Turkey-EU relations enter a critical period, the Turkish government replied harshly to the EU term president Finland's deadline of Dec.6 for the Cyprus issue, reports the Zaman. Assessing Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen's statement that the deadline for the Cyprus issue was the first week of December, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "We will not take any steps if unacceptable proposals are put before us." Erdogan noted that Minister Gul will head to Helsinki on Saturday after wrapping up talks with technocrats and administrators. Gul said: "If we can find a way to settle the issue, we will welcome it, but Turkey has done its duty. Turkey's expectation when signing the protocol was that the EU would start free trade with Turkish Cypriots." "This cannot be done through blackmailing and deadlines," the foreign minister said. 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 | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |