French PM confirms warships sale to Russia June 6, 2014 - 13:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has confirmed the sale of two warships to Russia will go ahead, saying many jobs are at stake, BBC News reported. "The contracts were agreed in 2011, they represent many jobs and they will be carried out," he said in a tweet. U.S. President Barack Obama has said he is concerned about the sale, in light of the crisis in Ukraine. Both he and Russian President Vladimir Putin are due to attend D-Day events in France later on Friday, June 6. French President Francois Hollande has come under sustained pressure from European allies over the Mistral-class helicopter carriers, which are set to be delivered to the Black Sea ports in Crimea, which joined Russia after a referendum in March. The first carrier in the 1.2bn euro ($1.6bn) deal is due for delivery this year. Obama said while he recognised it was a big deal and important for French jobs, "I think it would have been preferable to press the pause button". Pro-Ukrainian bloggers reacted with anger to the tweet by Mr Fabius. "Life/blood of non-compatriots are cheap," wrote one on Twitter, while another remarked "so French jobs more important than Ukrainian lives".   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 |  Latest news Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia  Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia.Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports.Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |
