Turkey watches closely U.S. policy on ArmeniaFebruary 17, 2009 - 13:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama has told Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan he hopes to strengthen ties with their country and expressed support for Turkey's growing relationship with Iraq, the White House said on Monday.Obama spoke to the two men by phone earlier in the day. "In both calls, the leaders discussed a number of current issues, including U.S. support for the growing Turkish-Iraqi relationship, the importance of cooperation in Middle East peace efforts, and the U.S. review on Afghanistan and Pakistan policy," the White House said in a statement. Turkey has repeatedly attacked hideouts of Kurdish rebels in the northern mountainous region of Iraq. The White House said Obama emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Turkey alliance and expressed his desire to work on a "broad agenda" of mutual strategic interest. "The President emphasized his desire to strengthen U.S.-Turkish relations and to work together effectively in NATO," the statement said, the IHT reports. Meanwhile, the statement issued by the Turkish government says that Turkey watches closely the U.S. policy toward Armenia and Middle East and "hopes for a fair approach that will not damage the U.S.-Turkish relations." 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |