Baku: Caucasus platform implementation impossible, with Karabakh conflict unresolvedJanuary 28, 2009 - 12:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Implementation of the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform is impossible, with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict unresolved, a senior Azeri official said. "Nevertheless, Baku supports the idea and considers the ongoing discussions necessary. The interest of the five countries expected to build the platform is important for its implementation," Araz Azimov, the Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister told a conference in Istanbul, AzerTac news agency reports. Turkish Prime Minsiter Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered formation of a Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform after the hostilities in South Ossetia in August 2008. The initiative is supposed to unite Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia and Georgia. 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. |