Russia didn't provoke disorders in Tbilisi, Saakashvili saysNovember 26, 2007 - 13:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia wasn't the main source of disorders in Tbilisi, Mikheil Saakashvili said upon handing in his resignation. The disorders were provoked by some individuals including entrepreneur Badri Patarkatsishvili, who openly called for overthrow of the authorities. Mikheil Saakashvili stressed Georgia has never been so independent from Russia as today. "In mid-October Russian military left Georgia. Besides, the country declined import of Russian gas and energy. In summer, Georgia itself exported energy to Russia. Despite Russia's embargo on Georgian wine, a million of young vines were planted this year," he said, RBK reports. November 25 President Mikheil Saakashvili resigned his commission to Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze. Immediately after dispersal of the opposition rally in Tbilisi, Saakashvili scheduled early presidential elections for January 5, 2008. According to the Constitution, he handed in his resignation 45 days before the elections and presently prepares for the coming race. 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”. |