Russia to continue assisting CIS states in futureMay 18, 2009 - 20:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia will continue assisting those CIS member states which faced most hardships during the crisis RF FM Sergey Lavrov said Monday, in an interview with "Itogi" journal. "In the meantime, we'll focus on CIS states as our closest neighbors," the Russian diplomat added."We have already allocated considerable sums to Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia," Lavrov noted. "We are planning to work towards realization of those goals, and have allocated USD 7.5 billion to EurAsEc anti-crisis fund which possess a total sum of USD 10 million." As regards the crisis impact on Russia-West and Russia-US relations, it may really be positive in terms of pushing US and West to a more constructive platform in their relations with Russia," the Minister is convinced. Such cooperation not only contributes to elaborating a positive agenda but also helps build mutual trust, skills and culture required for dialogue and mutual cooperation." "No wonder that things have taken such turn. Common sense shows that artificially politicized issue are pushed to the background in times of crisis, and all parties recognize common interests," Russian FM confirmed. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |