Rubezh 2008 exercise not directed against BakuJanuary 11, 2008 - 13:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Rubezh 2008 exercise due in Armenia in spring 2008 is by no means targeted at Azerbaijan, CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said."Making the decision to hold the maneuvers we took account of the complicated situation in the Caucasus and exerted every effort to convince Azerbaijan that these are not directed against it," Mr Bordyuzha told a news conference in Moscow. "These will be command and staff anti-terror exercises," he added. "I do not think Azerbaijan will have a negative reaction to the exercise, which is not meant to tense situation in the region," the CSTO Sec. Gen said adding that any state is entitled to hold maneuvers to ensure national security, The New Times reports. 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 | U.S., Armenia sign customs deal According to Armenian customs data, U.S.-Armenian trade reached $670 million last year. Glendale mayor to visit Yerevan Asatryan last visited Armenia in December 2022-January 2023 as she helped establish a partnership between Armenia’s Opera House and Los Angeles Opera. Ucom’s fixed network launches in Nor Hachn City residents will be able to use fixed-line Internet, mobile communications and television in one package at more affordable prices. Ambassador summoned to Russia returns to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin has returned to Yerevan more than two weeks after being recalled to Moscow for consultations. |