Russian, U.S. defense chiefs agree to resume missile defense talksMarch 26, 2013 - 13:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian and U.S. defense chiefs during a phone conversation on Monday, March 25 agreed to resume missile defense talks at the deputy minister level, the office of the Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a statement, according to RIA Novosti. According to the readout of the conversation between Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, posted on the department’s official website, the Russian minister “expressed his desire to reconvene missile defense discussions with the U.S. at the deputy minister level” during the phone “Secretary Hagel agreed and reiterated that this is an important part of U.S.-Russian relations. He assured Minister Shoigu that these discussions would continue and be carried forward by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Jim Miller,” the statement reads. Russia and NATO initially agreed to cooperate on the so-called European missile defense system at the Lisbon summit in November 2010. Further talks between Moscow and the alliance have foundered over NATO’s refusal to grant Russia legal guarantees that the system would not be aimed against Russia’s strategic nuclear deterrent. NATO and the United States insist the shield is designed to defend NATO members against missiles from emerging threat nations like North Korea and Iran, and would not be directed at Russia. The alliance has vowed to continue developing and deploying its missile defenses, regardless of the status of missile defense cooperation with Russia. 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. |