European Parliament hails steps for Turkish-Armenian reconciliationNovember 26, 2008 - 15:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee member and the accompanying delegation held a news conference in Ankara after the reception hosted in their honor. MEP Hannes Swoboda said Tuesday that they observe a halt in the reform process in Turkey. Speaking at the news conference Swoboda said they have a very clear message for Turkey: "Please, continue the reform process". If Turkey truly wants to become an EU member, it should carry on the reforms with determination, said Swoboda. He praised Turkey's foreign policy and the steps taken for normalization of relations with Armenia. Also speaking at the press conference, EP's Turkey rapporteur Ria Oomen Ruijten said she will submit the first draft of the Turkey report to the EP next week and it will be open to debate next Tuesday. She said the report is well balanced and unbiased adding that it could be more critical in certain areas compared to past, while more positive in the area of foreign relations. Rujiten also said there is a halt in the reform process and noted that political reforms are more important than opening of the chapters. She added that with political reforms she meant reforms about individual, cultural and constitutional rights and also the judicial reform, the Anatolian news agency 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 | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Yeremyan Projects opens state-of-the-art dairy production plant Yeremyan Projects officially launched the Yeremyan Products state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Yerevan on May 24. Armenian PM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Vanadzor The helicopter transporting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an emergency landing in Vanadzor. |