U.S. urges Ukraine to clear all obstacles to ink EU dealNovember 14, 2013 - 17:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States has urged Ukraine to clear all remaining obstacles to a landmark trade agreement with the European Union and leave historical grievances behind it, according to RIA Novosti. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said in remarks posted on a U.S. government website Wednesday, November 13 that Kiev should approve judicial and electoral reforms, and allow the release of jailed former Prime Minister Tymoshenko for medical treatment. “We join the EU in urging Ukraine’s leaders to make the right historic choice for their 45 million citizens – to choose their children’s future over the grievances of the past,” Nuland said. The EU Eastern Partnership Summit, at which Ukraine has been hoping to sign the association agreement with the European Union, is scheduled to start in Lithuania on November 28. But prospects for that agreement look grim with Ukraine having failed to take any concrete steps on allowing Tymoshenko, who is suffering from a debilitating back condition, to seek necessary medical treatment. Tymoshenko, a prominent opposition leader, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011 for abuse of power over a gas contract with Russia that was determined to be financially unfavorable for Ukraine. She insists that the charges were politically motivated. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said last month that the EU would be ready to sign the free-trade agreement with Ukraine at the Lithuania summit only if a "suitable solution" was found for Tymoshenko. Related links: Eastern Partnership The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is the first comprehensive initiative introduced into the system of the European Union’s external relations, addressed to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The Eastern Partnership is designed to help the countries of Eastern Europe and South Caucasus with their approximation to and integration with the European Union. The EaP has injected a new quality into relations between the EU and the countries covered by the initiative through their gradual integration with the European Union. 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 | EventHub.am is the official ticketing agent for Black Eyed Peas concert in Tbilisi EventHub․am platform has become the official ticketing agent in Armenia for the concert of Black Eyed Peas to be held in Tbilisi. 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. |