Armenian-Turkish border may open in early 2010October 13, 2009 - 15:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent statement that the Turkish parliament is an independent body and has to decide the fate of the Protocols is a kind of blackmail addressed to Armenia, according to expert Ruben Melkonyan."Turkish parliament may drag out the process of ratification of Protocols and lay down conditions," he said. Melkonyan also reminded that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told an Azeri delegation Monday that the parliament will not ratify the Protocols unless the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is resolved. "Turkey may open the border in early 2010 if the leadership takes a political decision. Otherwise the process may be protracted till the middle of the year. In this case, the border will be opened as result of international pressure, with a culmination on April 24," he 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |