EU foreign policy chief to visit IsraelOctober 22, 2012 - 15:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials on Wednesday, Oct 24, and Thursday as a part of a five-day visit to the Middle East, The Jerusalem Post reported. Ashton is scheduled to meet in Jerusalem with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The EU foreign affairs chief will also meet with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. "This is a critical time for the wider Middle East. The close cooperation between the European Union and our partners in the region is essential to help us deal with the political, strategic and humanitarian challenges we face at this time. The objective of this trip is to take this cooperation forward as effectively as possible," Ashton 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 | 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. |