Georgia protests Russian President Putin's visit to AbkhaziaAugust 26, 2013 - 18:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia has sent a note of protest to Moscow over the Russian president’s visit to a resort town in the Georgian breakaway republic of Abkhazia, the country’s foreign minister has said, accoridng to RIA Novosti. Vladimir Putin traveled to Pitsunda, a popular resort town on the Black Sea, on Sunday, August 25 as Abkhazia marked the fifth anniversary since Russia recognized its independence following a brief war with Georgia. The Kremlin said Putin met with his Abkhaz counterpart, Alexander Ankvab, to discuss bilateral collaboration. “We condemn this [visit], as this is another infringement on Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the Novosti-Georgia news agency quoted Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze as saying. Russia and Georgia severed diplomatic ties in 2008 after Moscow recognized the de-facto independent Georgian republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states following a five-day military conflict over South Ossetia in August that year. Only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Vanuatu, Nauru and Tuvalu followed suit by recognizing the provinces’ independence. 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. |