Austrian politician: Turkey and Russia have nothing to do with EuropeJune 25, 2008 - 14:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Austrian far-right politician Joerg Haider questioned Tuesday why Russia and Turkey were allowed to participate in the European soccer championships, the Euro 2008."What have these two countries got in common with Europe?" Haider asked in an interview published in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera. Turkey is set to play Germany in the semi-final on Wednesday and Russia will play Spain in the other semi-final on Thursday. That means the final in Vienna on Sunday could pitch two non-EU members against each other, Russia versus Turkey. Haider, who heads the Austrian far-right BZOe party, is opposed to Turkey's bid to join the 27-nation EU. "The Turks could well win the final in Vienna. But Europe's gates must remain closed for Turkey," he said. "I don't think they're in a position to accept European rules and culture," he said, the AFP reports. 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 | 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. Deputy U.S. Secretary of State to arrive in Yerevan Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19 to. |