Greek PM arrives in Moscow for talks with PutinApril 8, 2015 - 09:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, has arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a critical time for Athens, BBC News reports. Tsipras' government is embroiled in negotiations over its bailout and could run out of funds within weeks. The two are expected to discuss ties between the EU and Russia, which were badly strained by the Ukraine crisis. Before his arrival, Tsipras described the sanctions imposed by the EU and US on Russia in the wake of its annexation of the Crimea as "a road to nowhere". Russia imposed a ban on many western food imports in retaliation, but Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov has said the government could consider removing three countries, including Greece, from the embargo, Russian state media reported. The European Parliament President, Martin Schulz, said Tsipras should not break with the EU line on sanctions during the visit. "Greece demands and gets a lot of solidarity from the EU. We can therefore also ask for solidarity from Greece and for this solidarity not to be ended unilaterally by pulling out of joint measures," he told regional German newspaper Muenchner Merkur. Tsipras came to power pledging to end austerity, but his plans have met resistance from Greece's EU/IMF creditors, who lent the country billions to help it avoid bankruptcy. Greece has not received bailout funds since August last year, with the EU and IMF dissatisfied with the pace of Greek reforms. A Greek repayment of €448m to the IMF is due this Thursday, April 9. On Tuesday, the Greek government said Germany owed Greece nearly €279bn ($303bn) in war reparations for the Nazi occupation during World War Two. It is the first time Greece has calculated what Germany allegedly owes. But Germany says the matter was resolved legally years ago, and reacting to the claim Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said it was "dumb" to link Greece's bailout with the question of war reparations. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images 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 | 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. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |