Finland to promote Turkey’s “marriage” with EUMarch 30, 2011 - 12:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Finnish President Tarja Halonen said Finland supports Turkey's European Union membership talks, adding that her country will continue to promote Ankara's accession. "We do not know why some countries are so hesitant about Turkey's EU membership. You should continue with the negotiations. The EU will be bigger and stronger with Turkey," Halonen told a joint press conference with her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Halonen said the accession process has never been easy for any of the EU members, adding that candidate countries should focus on the membership itself instead thinking of when it will happen. "The candidate countries usually wonder when they will become a member. But the important thing is the marriage not the wedding. The important thing is to get prepared for the marriage," Halonen said. She said Finland and Turkey work together in the Council of Europe and in the United Nations, adding that the two countries could also cooperate in trade, specifically in the field of renewable energy, Anatolian Agency reported. 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 | Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. For the first time, Armenia votes in favor of Georgia resolution in UN Armenia on Tuesday, June 4 voted for the first time in favor a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. |