Philippe Lefort: South Caucasus is of great interest to EUSeptember 5, 2011 - 12:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - South Caucasus is of great interest to the European Union, EU envoy said. “That was the reason of my visits to the capitals of the three countries in the region,” Philippe Lefort, Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, told journalists in Baku, before departing for Tbilisi and Yerevan. Lefort said Baku meetings with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Defense Minister Safar Abiyev and parliament speaker Ogtay Asadov will focus on regional issues, Trend News 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 | Iran, Russia discuss Caucasus developments Ali Bagheri Kani and Igor Khovaev, have reviewed the developments in the Caucasus region. Armenia Defense Minister travels to France A delegation headed by Defense Minister Suren Papikyan will travel to France, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry. Armenia, U.S. talk defense, security matters Secretary of the Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan met with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Armenia, Ukraine discuss bilateral relations Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council Armen Grigoryan met with Ukrainian Foreign Dmytro Kuleba on June 16. |