Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Turks can’t do without ArabsJune 11, 2010 - 13:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech at a summit in Istanbul attended by foreign ministers of 17 countries. Erdogan told participants of Turkish-Arab Forum that Turks can’t do without Arabs. "We share common geography, history, culture and civilization," he said, adding that those, who claim that Turkey drifts towards the West, are making ill-intentioned propaganda. For his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced about creation of a new alliance among Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria: High-Level Quadruple Council. These four countries will form a free trade zone and a visa-free zone. Davutoglu said he hopes that it would also cover other regional countries in time. Davutoglu said that the zone of free movement of goods and persons should not be considered an alternative to the European Union. He said Turkey is resolute on its bid for EU membership, Cumhuriyet 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |