Kremlin's defeat in struggle for Armenia obvious, Baku saysJuly 24, 2008 - 15:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Informal Turkish-Armenian relations have a long record, an Azeri political scientist said. "The situation in the region is changing. West is advancing toward the Caucasus and the Armenian-Turkish talks should be considered in this context. It's erroneous to think that these talks could be harmful for Azerbaijan, for in case of reconciliation Armenia will step back from Russia and orient for NATO. All this will have a positive impact on t resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, what implies return of occupied territories," Vafa Guluzade said, Day.az reports. Asked whether Russian will witness this process silently, Guluzade said, "Of course, Russia can't be glad with its outpost's split off. But it has no tool of pressure on West. Let's remember the story with Baltic states and Asia. So, Kremlin's defeat in struggle for Armenia obvious." In a further sign of readiness to normalize ties, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan proposed "a fresh start" in relations with Turkey in an article published in The Wall Street Journal earlier this month. Sargsyan also invited Gul to a World Cup qualifying match between Armenian and Turkish teams in September. Officials say the invitation is still under consideration and that the president will decide according to developments. "Normalization of relations with Armenia is one of priorities in Turkey's foreign policy," said Ali Babacan, Turkish Foreign Minister. He also confirmed reports that Turkish and Armenian officials had secret talks in Switzerland on July 8. 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”. |