Ankara pleased with EP report on TurkeyMarch 14, 2009 - 19:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis said Friday the adoption of a report on Turkey by 528 European Parliament (EP) deputies is an affirmation of Turkey's accession process.Speaking to reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport after a trip to the Czech Republic, Bagis said that the EP report is overall a balanced one. Compared to the previous years, the EP report is more constructive and makes a call to strengthen Turkey's efforts for full membership to the EU, Bagis said. "The absence of "1915 incidents" in the report and a clear referral to PKK as a terrorist organization within the report are very important. The EP report is the joint report of 27 EU countries representing eight different political parties and it is a balanced one," Bagis said. In reference to a question on the upcoming visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Turkey, Bagis said that this visit is an indication of where Turkey has come globally. "Turkey is not merely a member of the UN Security Council. It is a country that continues negotiations with the EU and runs the Secretariat General of the Organization of Islamic Conference. The fact that Turkey has become a country that is consulted with in global matters should be a matter of pride for all of us," Bagis said. 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 | 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. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |