Russia offers Japan to join its humanitarian mission in AleppoAugust 26, 2016 - 16:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov met with Japanese Ambassador Toyohisa Kozuki on Thursday, August 25 and briefed the envoy on the preparations for the first 48-hour humanitarian pause in Aleppo. Antonov invited his Japanese counterparts to join the mission, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, according to Sputnik. On August 18, the Russian Defense Ministry welcomed UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura's proposal for a 48-hour pause in fighting in Aleppo and expressed readiness to implement the first 48-hour humanitarian pause to supply the city with aid as a "pilot project." On Thursday, de Mistura said the United Nations was ready to begin humanitarian assistance deliveries to Aleppo at any time having received Russia’s agreement for the pause, but awaited guarantees from other actors on the ground. At the meeting Thursday, Antonov additionally expressed concern to Kozuki that U.S. missile system deployment in the Asia-Pacific negatively impacts regional and military stability. In July, South Korea and the United States announced that they had agreed to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system in the South Korean Seongju County amid increased tensions on the peninsula. 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. |