Putin offered to declare moratorium on Conventional Forces in Europe TreatyApril 26, 2007 - 16:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks it is expedient to declare moratorium on Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE). In his annual address to the parliament the Russian President stressed Russia's partners on the agreement - NATO member-states - have not ratified the treaty and a number of states even did not join it. Furthermore Putin said Russia may fully refuse from commitments of CFE. Putin said, the moratorium will continue until all NATO countries have ratified and started to strictly implement it "as in fact Russia does today unilaterally". The Russian President offered to discuss this problem at the Russia-NATO meeting, and if there was no progress at upcoming talks Russia would "look at the possibility of ceasing our commitments under the CFE treaty". Putin noted that in fact currently Russia is the only country, which keeps the so-called "flanking limits". At the same time NATO member-countries not only do not keep these limits, but also are going to station American interceptor missiles and air defense systems in their territories. In Russian President's opinion in these conditions limits for quantitative structure of troops and heavy equipment in Europe that Russia keeps is not just, Lenta.ru reports. 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 | Viva-MTS-SOURCE Foundation program supports family displaced from Artsakh The Zeynalyans' daily routine and living agenda changed months after the birth of their first child, Davit. Armenia, France’s KNDS ink military cooperation agreement A military-technical cooperation agreement has been signed between the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the French military-industrial company KNDS. Iran, Russia discuss Caucasus developments Ali Bagheri Kani and Igor Khovaev, have reviewed the developments in the Caucasus region. Armenia Defense Minister travels to France A delegation headed by Defense Minister Suren Papikyan will travel to France, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry. |