Erdogan arrives in Baku; trip to Karabakh on agendaJune 15, 2021 - 11:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived early Tuesday, June 15 in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku to hold official talks with President Ilham Aliyev, Yeni Safak reports. Erdogan was welcomed at Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Eyyubov, Deputy Foreign Minister Halef Halefov, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Turkey Hazar Ibrahim and Turkey's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Cahit Bagci. He was accompanied by first lady Emine Erdogan, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, Justice and Development (AK) Party Spokesperson Omer Celik and the head of the Turkish delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Osman Askin Bak. As part of his official visit, Erdogan will travel to the city of Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh, which came under Azerbaijan's control during the 44-day war in fall 2020. After a private meeting, Erdogan and Aliyev will attend a signing ceremony, hold a joint press conference and take a tour of the city. 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. |