NATO Strengthening Relations with Partners in South Caucasus and Central AsiaDecember 19, 2005 - 17:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "The fourth area of NATO's transformation that I wish to highlight is the geographic dimension. Now more than ever before, we need to look at certain countries and regions through a common transatlantic lens," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stated when addressing Bilkent University in Ankara. "This is true for South-East Europe, for Russia and Ukraine, for the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as for Northern Africa and the Broader Middle East Finding ways to help positive change in these regions, to foster democracy and stability, should be a joint transatlantic effort or it won't stand much chance of success," the NATO Secretary General said, NATO press office reported. 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 | Politico: Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan in 2018-2022 Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Armenia’s enemy even though both countries were supposedly allies in a defense pact. Armenia Security Council chief to attend Ukraine peace summit Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will take part in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. Armenian govt. approves ratification of EAEU-Iran free trade deal At a meeting on Friday, June 14, the Armenian government approved the ratification of an EAEU free trade agreement with Iran. Deputy U.S. Secretary of State to arrive in Yerevan Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19 to. |