Rubezh 2008 exercise not directed against BakuJanuary 11, 2008 - 13:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Rubezh 2008 exercise due in Armenia in spring 2008 is by no means targeted at Azerbaijan, CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said."Making the decision to hold the maneuvers we took account of the complicated situation in the Caucasus and exerted every effort to convince Azerbaijan that these are not directed against it," Mr Bordyuzha told a news conference in Moscow. "These will be command and staff anti-terror exercises," he added. "I do not think Azerbaijan will have a negative reaction to the exercise, which is not meant to tense situation in the region," the CSTO Sec. Gen said adding that any state is entitled to hold maneuvers to ensure national security, The New Times 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |