Greek Foreign Minister reaffirms support for Turkey's EU bidFebruary 25, 2009 - 20:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis has reaffirmed her country's support for Turkey's European Union accession bid, while, however, stressing that this eventual membership depends on Turkey's performance in fulfilling certain criteria.The Minister's remarks came during her first visit to the United States after new U.S. President Barack Obama took office in late January. "We believe that Turkey's EU membership has key importance. Greece gives full support to this and has proven this support in the past years," Bakoyannis said. "All candidate countries have to meet certain criteria for membership in the EU and Turkey is not an exception," she said, highlighting compliance with good neighborhood relations and international law among these criteria, the Anatolia news agency reports. 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. |