German Chancellor heading for to talk Europe’s futureFebruary 27, 2014 - 10:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has an audience with the queen, an address before both houses of Parliament and a visit to Downing Street when she arrives in Britain Thursday, Feb 27, according to the Associated Press. Far better, commentators have noted, than the trip to an air base and the pub lunch British Prime Minister David Cameron offered French President Francois Hollande last month. Fielding questions in Parliament Wednesday, Cameron seemed excited for her visit, noting that "my admiration for Angela Merkel is enormous" and joking that "there are many things that she's achieved that I would like to copy, not least getting re-elected." The pomp and the flattery may have something to do with Cameron's desire to bring Merkel on board with his calls to reform of the European Union — something the two are almost certain to discuss after Merkel's speech. Cameron is under pressure from the euroskeptic UK Independence Party, and needs allies if he's going to push back against Brussels. "If we are going to get anywhere in our plans to reform the EU ... then we need her on our side," Boris Johnson, the mayor of London and a member of Cameron's Conservative Party, wrote in an op-ed Monday. But Germany has reacted coolly to Britain's push to reverse the process of European political integration. German ministers snubbed British Foreign Secretary William Hague when he came to Berlin to speak about the issue last year, and if Merkel tells Parliament she wants a stronger EU, it will make for an awkward drive back to Downing Street. Some say the issue is already driving a wedge between the two countries. "They have never been further apart," Gisela Stuart, a German-born lawmaker with the opposition Labour Party, told the AP. Related links: 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |