Hague says UK ‘open to better relations with Iran’July 31, 2013 - 21:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Foreign Secretary William Hague says Britain is open to better relations with Iran on a "step-by-step" basis and he is willing to meet with Tehran's Foreign Minister, The Associated Press reported. The Foreign Office says Hague stressed the need for "urgent progress" to resolve the West's concerns about Iran's nuclear program in a phone call with Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. It said that Hague "made clear that the UK was open to improvements in the bilateral relationship with Iran, on a step-by-step and reciprocal basis" and is willing to meet in New York in September during the United Nations General Assembly. The call comes after Hassan Rouhani won Iran's June 14 presidential election. Rouhani has pledged to follow a "path of moderation," reviving hopes for easing tensions with the West. 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 | 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 Armenia Henrikh 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. |