U.S., allies agree to intensify campaign against ISJanuary 20, 2016 - 20:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said defense ministers from France and five other nations have agreed to intensify the campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. According to the Associated Press, he said the countries will work together to fill the military requirements as the fight unfolds over the coming months. Carter was speaking at a press conference with France's Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, after a working lunch with five other defense ministers, mainly from Europe. They are mapping out the coordinated campaign against IS over the next year. Carter and Le Drian co-hosted the meeting with ministers from France, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Carter also is announcing that all 26 nations in the anti-IS coalition and Iraq will meet in Brussels next month to continue the talks. Photo: AP 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. |