French President voices support to Kosovo independenceDecember 1, 2007 - 14:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French President The breakdown earlier this week of talks between ethnic Albanians demanding independence and Serbs seeking to keep the province raise the likelihood Kosovo will declare independence from Serbia unilaterally at some point after Dec. 10. Sarkozy said he did not consider the date as a firm deadline and said he hoped the province's leaders would not act hastily making a declaration of independence. "We hope it will be done at the right moment," Sarkozy said during a Franco-Italian summit in the Mediterranean city of Nice. "If we have to give it a few more weeks to calm down the situation and get to that result, to France that seems preferable." Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi echoed the French position, saying time is needed to prepare Kosovo's independence. Serbia has threatened to impose an economic and travel blockade if Kosovo's leaders make good on their pledge to break away - stoking concerns of renewed unrest. Serbia, however, has also promised to refrain from violence, the IHT reports. 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |