Russia to back Turkey's Caucasus Stability and Cooperation PactSeptember 10, 2008 - 14:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia will support Turkey's Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Pact, an Armenian expert said. "I think Russia and Turkey will continue talks on the issue because of strained relations with the U.S. Russia brisks up relations with Turkey and is interested in opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. True, the Caucasus pact is not a security organization and will hardly become such. But it will have its part in the region," Ruben Safrastyan, director of the institute of oriental studies at the RA national academy of sciences, told a news conference in Yerevan today. The Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Pact was offered by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan after the Georgian-South Ossetian clashes. It is supposed to unite Turkey, Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. 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. |