Congressman: U.S. supports Georgia's NATO bidNovember 24, 2011 - 10:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. strongly supports Georgia's hopes to join NATO, a member of the U.S. Congress David Dreier told journalists in Tbilisi. "The United States strongly supports Georgia's accession to NATO and I hope that Russian President Medvedev's objection will not come true from this point of view," he stressed. As Medvedev noted earlier, if it weren't for Russian intervention in 2008, Georgia and several other countries would today be NATO members. "The day will come, and I hope it will happen soon, when we'll see Georgia in NATO, and if President Medvedev doesn't wish to see Georgia as a NATO member and that is his goal, I would like his wish fail," Mr. Dreier said. He also discussed US-Russian relations and stressed that a maximum effort should be made to avoid a possible new cold war or similar threat, Trend News 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 | 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Armenia: Top cleric to retain title as he bids to become interim PM Galstanyan said earlier that the interim government would be tasked with stopping the “destruction of our homeland”. Ex-mayor of Karabakh capital arrested in Yerevan Ex-mayor of the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert David Sargsyan has been arrested for 20 days. 269 people evacuated amid severe floods in Armenia’s north According to the Interior Ministry, 269 people have been evacuated from their homes in Lori and Tavush provinces. |