"Turkey Season in France" to start in July 1June 10, 2009 - 17:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey and France will launch a series of cultural events and programs to celebrate "Turkey Season in France" and introduce Turkish culture to French people. The season will start on July 1 and continue until March of next year. Turkey recently announced the expansion of activities to include over 40 cities with 400 programs, Today's Zaman reported. President Abdullah Gül, who was harsh in criticizing Europe before, seems to have toned down his rhetoric and signaled a willingness to undertake initiatives for a possible rapprochement between the two countries. Politicians come and go, he said, stressing the importance of political goals set by the countries. Speaking at a reception held at Çankaya presidential palace, Gül said, "The important thing is to continue preparing the country for full EU membership." "People who voiced opposition to Turkey today might change their position later," he said, dismissing anti-Turkish statements voiced by politicians. "What matters," he said, "is the opinion of the Turkish and European public." Both Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel recommend that Turkey be offered a privileged partnership instead of full EU membership, which Ankara strongly rejects. 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 | About 173 million drams and more than 30 beneficiary funds. "The Power of One Dram" is 4 years old In June 2020, the exclusive joint corporate social responsibility initiative of Idram and IDBank "The Power of One Dram" was launched. CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. |