CSTO to hold military drills near Tajik-Afghan borderAugust 9, 2018 - 10:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Joint tactical exercises by the rapid reaction forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Rubezh (Boundary)-2018, will be held in late October at a mountainous firing range in Tajikistan, the Central Military District's press service said. "The Central Military District’s delegation is taking part in the second round of talks in Dushanbe on preparing to hold the Rubezh-2018 drills. The talks involve representatives of the CSTO allied staff, delegations of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan," the press service said. The Harbmaydon range is located 15 km from the Tajik-Afghan border. Russia will be represented by the Central Military District at the exercises. At the talks the sides will discuss a tentative plan of the drills, support issues and will examine the area and infrastructure where the upcoming exercises will be held. "The talks between the staff will end on August 9 with the signing of a final protocol by the delegations’ heads," it said. In 2016, the Rubezh drills were held in the mountainous areas of another Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan. More than 1,000 troops of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia took part in the maneuvers. The CSTO, formed in 1992, consists of six members, namely, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. 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 | Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |