Turkey says extends troops’ deployment in AfghanistanDecember 26, 2018 - 14:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's parliament on Tuesday, Dec. 25 ratified a motion to extend the deployment of Turkish troops in Afghanistan for another two years as part of the NATO’s support mission in the war-torn country, Hurriyet Daily News reports. A legislation will put into effect on Jan. 6, 2019, allowing the Turkish government to send troops to Afghanistan to support the NATO-led mission Resolute Support. As the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force ended its 17-year combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2018, "the mission has evolved into training and advising of the nascent Afghan security forces." After 17 years, the International Security Assistance Force operations which included training and advising new Afghan security forces will come to an end in 2018. Around 12,000 foreign troops from 28 NATO member states and 14 other allies have reached an agreement on supporting the NATO mission in Afghanistan. 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 | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. |