Baku not intimidated by Iran’s air drills, Azeri official claimsSeptember 10, 2011 - 17:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Baku is not intimidated by Iran’s air drills, the head of the foreign affairs department at Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration said. According to Novruz Mamedov, “Baku’s course is aimed at peaceful co-habitation with the neighbouring countries.” The official further expressed regret over Iran’s political, military and media propaganda targeting Baku, 1news.az reported. The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has begun the second phase of major aerial drills in preparation for yet another extensive military maneuver next week. The second phase of the drills includes the performance of tactical flights and dropping of test ammunition on mock targets, with Saeqeh, F-4 and F-5 fighter jets from different areas to be dispatched to the drill area in the northwest city of Tabriz. The third phase of the drill will feature air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles as well as various types of fighter sorties. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. 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 Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Armenian PM sends condolences to Iran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a message of condolence to the Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. |