Salehi: Iran could be a good partner for EUFebruary 22, 2012 - 14:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi blasted the sanctions imposed against Iran by the U.S. and the EU, and advised the European countries not to sacrifice their good ties with Tehran for Washington, Fars News Agency reported. "We believe that Europe should follow wiser and independent policy," Salehi said, adding Europe is a key economic rival of the U.S and that Washington has to control it in some way to preserve its own power. Energy and oil resources are one of those tools to control the countries, Salehi said during a joint press conference with visiting Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Bin Alawi. Salehi pointed out Iran can be a good partner for the European Union in providing the required energy for the union, stressing the country seeks the best relations with Europe. Meantime, Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi called on the European countries to make a final decision on oil imports from Iran, warning that they will be sanctioned by Tehran otherwise. Iran has recently imposed a ban on oil exports to Britain and France as the main two states which pushed the EU to sanction oil imports from Iran. 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 | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |