Kyrgyzstan OKs joint military base with RussiaDecember 18, 2012 - 20:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev has signed off on a law ratifying an agreement with Russia on the presence of a joint military base in the Central Asian republic, the presidential press service said on Tuesday, December 18, according to RIA Novosti. In September, the two countries agreed to create a joint military base in Kyrgyzstan in 2017. It will include the four military facilities Russia has in Kyrgyzstan at present. The agreement was signed for a term of 15 years with an option to extend for five years. Russia has a weapon test range in Karakol, a signals center in Kara-Balt, a radio-seismic laboratory in Mayly-Suu and a Collective Security Treaty Organization airbase in Kant. All four facilities will be integrated into one base under a single command. 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. |