PROBLEMS WITH AZERBAIJAN MAY APPEAR DUE TO PASSING TANK REPAIR PLANT TO GEORGIAFebruary 1, 2005 - 19:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Tbilisi Tank Repair Works (the only one in the South Caucasus) of the Group of Russian Troops in the Transcaucasia (GRTT) yesterday is conveyed to the ownership of the Georgian Defense Ministry. The enterprise is conveyed within the framework of an agreement, which was signed already at the past year-end. The Georgian Defense Ministry pledged not to hamper repair of Russian armored equipment, which will possibly take place based on concrete one-time agreements. As reported by Nezavisimaya Gazeta, problems may appear with Azerbaijan. The matter is that not only Russian and Georgian tanks, but also armored equipment for the Armenian Army was repaired in Tbilisi until lately. Thereupon, a few years ago official Baku accused Georgia in providing military assistance to Yerevan. However, Baku refused the Georgian party and the GRTT command counter offer on providing similar services to the Azeri Army. Georgian Defense Ministry representatives refused from comments alleging that speaking on the topic war early. As reported by Nezavisimaya Gazeta, military expert Koba Liklikadze also considers the opportunity of possible exacerbation of relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan a bit premature, but owing to another reason. "According to the data I possess, the situation with the Tank Repair Works is similar to that with other GRTT objects the Russian party has passed to Georgia in its time: we got equipment casernes, depots plundered and practically unsuitable for exploitation. Thus, in the near future the matter will most likely concern repairing the Works itself," he told the newspaper. 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”. |