Greek PM won’t attend EU summit due to eye surgeryJune 24, 2012 - 16:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Greece's new prime minister will not be well enough to travel to a critical European Union summit in Brussels after undergoing an eye operation, the government says, according to Belfast Telegraph. Antonis Samaras underwent surgery for a detached retina on Saturday. Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou said that the doctor treating him had forbidden him from flying. Mr Kedikoglou said newly appointed Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos would attend the June 28-29 summit in Mr Samaras's place. Greece's incoming finance minister, Vassilis Rapanos, was also treated in hospital on Friday after suffering a collapse. As his swearing in had to be postponed outgoing Finance Minister Giorgos Zanias still holds the title. Mr Zanias, who was a key negotiator for Greece's bailout deal before being named to the post, will also attend the summit, along with two deputy ministers. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |