Lavrov says Russian airbase in Belarus no threat to Europe May 11, 2013 - 13:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday, May 10, that possible establishment of a Russian airbase in Belarus should not be seen as a response to U.S. missile defense plans in Europe, according to RIA Novosti. “I see no reasons to worry about this issue,” Lavrov said at a press conference with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw. The foreign minister said Russia and Belarus are a “unified military space,” adding: “No matter if there are Belarusian or Russian planes there, nothing will change… We are protecting our border [the border of the Union State of Russia and Belarus].” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last month Russia plans to base fighter jets at a military airbase in Belarus, with a first wing due to arrive there later this year. “We hope that an Air Force regiment will be here by 2015 to protect our borders,” he said. Belarus borders NATO nations Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. NATO nations now fly combat air patrols from the Baltic states close to Russian airspace, an issue that has previously been viewed with concern in Moscow.   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 |  Latest news Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia.Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements.Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of ArmeniaHenrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |
