Turkey rejects joining Eastern PartnershipFebruary 25, 2009 - 15:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey will not join the Eastern Partnership, a Turkish official said."The talks with the EU are held for Turkey's full-fledged membership in the Union. So, we can't accept an offer which conflicts with the EU previous decisions," said Yasar Yakis, ex-Foreign Minister and chairman of Turkey-EU parliamentary commission, Trend Azeri news agency reports. The Eastern Partnership targets six of the EU's immediate eastern neighbors - Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and, provisionally, Belarus. Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, speaking for the current EU presidency, said that Turkey may also be invited. The final shape of the project will emerge at an EU summit on March 19-20. 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 | 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. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |