Georgia turns down Russia’s bid for rapprochementMarch 3, 2012 - 12:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - If Russia reviews its decision of August 26, 2008 on recognition of the so-called republics (South Ossetia and Abkhazia) and starts de-occupation of our state, we will be ready to restore relations, Sergey Kapanadze, Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia said. Before that, restoration of diplomatic relations is out of question, Georgian official told “Echo of Moscow” radio station. Earlier, representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich had voiced Russia’s readiness to restore diplomatic relations with Georgia. However, rapprochement between the two states seems to be limited to introduction of visa-free regime initiated first by Georgia (Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili signed a decree permitting Russian citizens’ stay on Georgian territory without visa for 3 months). 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”. |