South Caucasus in focus of nearest non-Caucasian neighbors - Kazakhstan and UkraineMay 19, 2008 - 19:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Internationalization of the South Caucasus is hotly debated by Russian expert circles and three former republics of soviet Transcaucasia. However, the talk about outer (or regional) players, are as a rule restricted to the ENP implementation in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Political News Agency reports."Meanwhile, the South Caucasus is in focus of the nearest non-Caucasian neighbors - Kazakhstan and Ukraine. It's also worth mentioning that Russia has strategic allies in the CIS, whose priorities and interests in the Caucasus are unclear. With the USSR decline, the former soviet republics lost the "sense of solidarity and historical gratitude." "Former Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev offered mediation in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In 1991 Russia's first President Boris Yeltsin accompanied by Nazarbayev paid a visit to the region. The journey resulted in a communiqué signed by leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Azerbaijan, in presence of a representative from Nagorno Karabakh. At that time, Nazarbayev's mission was a failure. However, even after the USSR decline, Kazakhstan pretends to the role of a post soviet space integrator. It focuses on development of relations with Russia, U.S. and EU, what demands pragmatism rather than ideology," the edition says. 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. |