Euro countries to build $1.1-trillion bailout fund, Austria saysMarch 30, 2012 - 16:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Austria's finance minister says the 17 euro countries will build a €800-billion ($1.1-trillion) financial firewall against their debt crisis, though €300-billion of that has already been used for previous bailouts, AP reported. That gives the euro zone some €500-billion in fresh money to help debt-ridden countries. Maria Fekter said Friday, March 30 that the figure should send a convincing message to financial markets and the euro zone's international partners that the currency union can contain its two-year old debt crisis. Ms. Fekter said some €240-billion in money left in the euro zone's existing, temporary bailout fund will remain available until mid-2013. However, she said that money should only be available until the new permanent bailout fund has been built up to its full €500-billion capacity. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |