Union for the Mediterranean inauguratedJuly 14, 2008 - 16:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Leaders of 43 nations with nearly 800 million inhabitants inaugurated a Union for the Mediterranean on Sunday, meant to bring the northern and southern countries that ring the sea closer together through practical projects dealing with the environment, climate, transportation, immigration and policing. The union has northern and southern co-presidents - to start, Sarkozy and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, The Associated Press reports. The new forum for cooperation is facing opposition from Libyan President Moamer Kadhafi who is boycotting the summit while Turkey and Germany have some misgivings. Kadhafi has assailed the club as a neo-colonialist ploy to weaken Arab and African unity and warned it would be a flop. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. |