  Steinberg trying to relieve tensions in South Caucasus  February 25, 2011 - 12:00 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - The visit of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg to Armenia and Azerbaijan is aimed to relieve tensions in the region and discuss the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, a spokesman for the Department of State said. The Obama administration wishes the South Caucasus countries resolved their disagreements regarding opening of borders and building normal relations, Euronews quoted Philip Crowley as telling a daily press briefing in Washington. Mr. Crowley also noted that the United States can’t wish more than the countries involved in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.   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 |  Latest news 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.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
