Turkey rejects joining Eastern PartnershipFebruary 25, 2009 - 15:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey will not join the Eastern Partnership, a Turkish official said."The talks with the EU are held for Turkey's full-fledged membership in the Union. So, we can't accept an offer which conflicts with the EU previous decisions," said Yasar Yakis, ex-Foreign Minister and chairman of Turkey-EU parliamentary commission, Trend Azeri news agency reports. The Eastern Partnership targets six of the EU's immediate eastern neighbors - Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and, provisionally, Belarus. Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, speaking for the current EU presidency, said that Turkey may also be invited. The final shape of the project will emerge at an EU summit on March 19-20. 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 | Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements. Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of Armenia Henrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |