Serbia's ruling parties say will back deal with KosovoApril 21, 2013 - 20:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Serbia's ruling parties say they will support a potentially landmark agreement to normalize relations with breakaway Kosovo that could end years of tensions and put both states on a path to European Union membership, The Associated Press reported. The prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo reached a tentative EU-mediated deal Friday, April 19 that would give Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leadership authority over rebel Kosovo Serbs. In return, the minority Serbs would get wide autonomy within Kosovo. The deal still has to be approved by Serbia and Kosovo. Leaders of the two main ruling parties in Serbia said Sunday they will support the deal at a government session scheduled for Monday. The agreement has triggered outrage among Serb nationalists. Kosovo, considered the medieval cradle of the Serbian state, declared independence in 2008. 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. |