WB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARRIVING IN YEREVANJune 12, 2003 - 18:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - World Bank (WB) executive director Ad Melkert is arriving in Yerevan today. According to a report by the WB Yerevan office, Melkert will familiarize himself with the course of realization of WB projects, specifically, with the program of the Social Investment Fund, will meet with Armenian president Robert Kocharian. The agreement on realization of the second credit program of the Fund costing $20 million was signed in 2000. The program is designed for 5.5 years and provides for financing some 500 projects in regions of Armenia. 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 | Armenia considers Cyprus as one of its main partners in EU - envoy Armenia considers Cyprus one of its main partners in the European Union, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan has said. Armenian, Albanian Foreign Ministers discuss ties, regional issues Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani. POLITICO: Baku lobbying agains detained Karabakh ex-leader abroad Azerbaijan is lobbying agains former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan, according to POLITICO. Armenia confirms will attend NATO summit in Washington Armenia has confirmed its participation in the NATO summit in Washington, a spokesperson has confirmed. |