Iranian Oil Minister says crude exports reached $60b despite sanctionsApril 11, 2012 - 14:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi announced that despite the international and unilateral sanctions against the country's oil sector, Iran's annual crude exports have reached $60bln. "This year the status of (our) oil exports has improved and long strides have been taken for the flourishing of the country's economy," Qassemi said on Tuesday, April 10 evening. "Despite the fact that all countries have mobilized against Iran, the country's oil exports have reached $60bln now," he added. Qassemi downplayed the effects of sanctions on the country's progress and flourishing, and said “enemies should know that Iran is independent from other countries and sanctions have led to Iran's further progress and development,” Fars News Agency reported. After the EU's decision to embargo Iranian oil supplies, Tehran stopped exports first to France and Britain and very recently to Greece and Spain. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |