ARMENIA TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESTORE ABKHAZ STRIP OF RAILWAYMay 14, 2003 - 20:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia is interested in restoration of the Abkhaz strip of the Transcaucasian railway and will make every effort for that. As reported by "Mediamax" agency, Armenian parliament vice-speaker Tigran Torosian said in Tbilisi today. In his words, "the restoration of the given rail strip is necessary for the whole of the Transcaucasia." At the same time, answering journalists' questions Tigran Torosian stated, "Yerevan is ready to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict." Let us remind that in March the Russian and Georgian presidents agreed to form working groups to decide the issue of restoration of the rail communication via the Abkhazian lot. Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze again stated Monday it was possible only in case of being simultaneous to the beginning of the return of Georgian refugees to Abkhazia. 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”. |