NATO offers Georgia, Ukraine "intensive engagement"April 4, 2008 - 14:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO's chief has reassured Ukraine and Georgia that there's "not a sliver of a doubt" the two ex-Soviet republics will join the alliance before long."We agreed that these countries will become members of NATO," Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said after intense morning discussions in Bucharest that lasted several hours more than anticipated. In what was seen as a hard-fought compromise, the secretary general said NATO and the two applicants would begin political discussions 'at the highest level' leading up to a December meeting of NATO foreign ministers, who will be entrusted with the power to decide on whether to offer them MAPs. De Hoop Scheffer also called on Ukraine to go ahead with democratic reforms and said NATO leaders were looking forward to the staging of fair elections in Georgia in May. By way of consolation, Scheffer said NATO would offer Georgia and Ukraine "intensive engagement," the AP 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 | U.S. believes peace is “possible” in South Caucasus The United States continues to believe that peace is possible in the South Caucasus, Vedant Patel said. Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province 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. |