MGK discusses relations with Armenia, Kurdish issueOctober 21, 2009 - 13:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkish National Security Council (MGK) held Tuesday a meeting to discuss the government's recent efforts to settle the Kurdish issue and the process of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, which has recently gained momentum with an agreement signed between the two countries.October's regular MGK meeting came just after the surrender of a group of outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to Turkish authorities on Monday, which was evaluated by many as a move to strengthen the hand of the government in its recently launched democratization package to end the country's decades-old Kurdish issue. Another main topic of yesterday's MGK meeting was the agreement signed on Oct. 10 in Zurich between Turkey and Armenia to start internal political consultations to establish diplomatic relations and develop bilateral relations. The protocols, which must be ratified in order to go into effect, envisage internal political consultations being concluded within six weeks. The Turkish government favors the ratification of the protocols simultaneously with the Armenian parliament. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu briefed the meeting's participants about the current process regarding relations with Armenia, Today's Zaman reported. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |