EU pledges $674.8 million to help Mali rebuildMay 14, 2013 - 19:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On the eve of a major international donors' conference, the European Union is pledging 520 million euros ($674.8 million) over the next two years to help recreate the west African country of Mali as a functioning state, AP said. Officials in Mali have come up with a 4.3 billion euro ($5.58 billion) multifaceted plan for what EU officials are calling "a total relaunch of the country." The plan includes rebuilding government institutions and the military, elections in July, dialogues with rebels in the north, rebuilding roads and schools, reviving the moribund economy so that people get paid for working, and more. Mali wants to raise nearly half of that from the international community. Officials say 103 international delegations, including 10 heads of state and government, will attend Wednesday's donor conference in Brussels. 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |