EU FMs to extend sanctions against Iran, Syria and BelarusDecember 1, 2011 - 09:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The foreign ministers of the 27 European Union member states are expected to approve the extension of sanctions against Iran, Syria and Belarus during their regular meeting in Brussels on Thursday, December 1, a source in the Council of the European Union said. A total of 179 Iranian officials and institutions linked to the government are expected to be added to the European blacklist over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program. The EU ministers are also expected to approve the tenth set of sanctions against Syria, designed to persuade President Bashar al-Assad to stop his violent crackdown on dissent. The sanctions will affect a number of Syrian financial, banking and energy enterprises, as well as officials and institutions believed to be linked to the Assad regime. The list of 245 Belarusian officials who have been banned from travelling to the EU and whose foreign assets have been frozen over their alleged involvement in the crackdown on the country’s opposition is also expected to be extended, RIA Novosti reported. 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 | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |