Chief EU Negotiator Ali Babacan likely to be next Turkish Foreign MinisterApril 25, 2007 - 20:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Chief EU Negotiator and State Minister Ali Babacan is likely to be the next Turkish Foreign Minister. "With Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul now the official candidate for the Turkish presidency, and thus, barring any extraordinary circumstances, the future president, the empty spot at the helm of the Turkish Foreign Ministry looks likely to be filled by Ali Babacan. Babacan's EU experience and foreign language skills make him the most likely candidate for the position among high ranked AKP officials. It is also thought that Abdullatif Sener will then be brought in to take over some of Babacan's current responsibilities," an AKP representative thinks, Hyuriet reported. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |