18th Anniversary of Spitak Earthquake Marked in MinskDecember 7, 2006 - 17:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A mourning ceremony took place in Minsk in commemoration of the victims of the Spitak earthquake of 1988. The representatives of Diaspora and the Armenian Embassy staff were present at the ceremony. It was held near the Khachkar, which was erected in Minsk Military Cemetery and devoted to the victims of the Spitak natural disaster. Armenia's Ambassador to Belarus Oleg Esayan and Georgy Eghiazarian, the head of Armenian Diaspora in Minsk delivered a speech during the ceremony. Those present remembered the tragic days of Armenian people. The former Soviet countries supported Armenia in December 1988. Belarus was the first, which extended a helping hand to the sister nation. Belarusian rescuers and constructors made an important contribution to the reconstruction of suffering region. Those present honored the victims of earthquake with a minute of silence. Wreaths were laid to the monument and acolytes chanted a service. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |