Russian tourists hit the beaches of Turkey as tensions easeJuly 9, 2016 - 14:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's state-run media says the first plane in months carrying Russian tourists to Turkey has arrived in the southern beach resort of Antalya as tense relations between the two countries ease, the Associted Press reports. Turkey's Anadolu Agency says airport officials greeted the passengers with flowers and a cocktail party after the Rossiya Airlines flight from Moscow landed Saturday, July 9 morning with 189 passengers. Relations were strained after Turkey downed a Russian jet in November 2015. Russia responded with economic sanctions, including a ban on travel packages to Turkey. Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on travel sales after receiving a letter of apology from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month. Tourism in Turkey has taken a hit with the Russian travel ban and a string of deadly suicide bombings targeting tourism sites. 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. |