Abkhazia, Karabakh and South Ossetia are Russia's alliesJuly 12, 2008 - 16:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - South Caucasus is one of the hottest zones in the post soviet territory, says a report issued by Russian Strategic Culture Foundation."Russia's passive role in the Caucasus has predetermined strengthening of West's positions, especially in 1990-ies. As result, Georgia has become a U.S. outpost; Azerbaijan is facing the same fate. Attempts to gain Armenia are still undertaken. Against the background, unrecognized republics - Abkhazia, Nagorno Karabakh and South Ossetia appear as Russia's allies. Under U.S.-subordinate Saakashvili's rule, Georgia continues to aggravate the situation," the report says. "If Georgia and Ukraine are invited to NATO the situation will worsen even more. Russia's geopolitical potential will weaken considerably," it 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |