Turkey going to promote stability in CaucasusSeptember 1, 2008 - 15:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey has offered to form an international regional group to deal with problems in the Caucasus. The group should include Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said after talks with his Georgian counterpart Eka Tkeshelashvili. The latter, however, stated that her country could join the initiative only after final withdrawal of Russian troops. "It will be hard to establish cooperation before the agreement on ceasefire is completely implemented. We will not open dialogue unless Russia proves to be a reliable partner," she said, RBC reports. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is planning a visit to Ankara this week. 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 | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |