Kerry meets Afghan President, Pakistani military chief April 24, 2013 - 18:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has brought senior Afghan and Pakistani officials together for security talks aimed at improving relations between the two nations ahead of next year's withdrawal of NATO combat forces from Afghanistan, The Associated Press reported. Kerry was meeting Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani military chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday, April 24 at Truman Hall, the secluded estate on the outskirts of Brussels that is home to the U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Kerry said as he opened the meeting that the talks were important, as Afghanistan is currently in a "critical transformational period." Ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan have long been strained over links between Pakistan's security apparatus and the Taliban. The U.S. supports Afghan-Taliban reconciliation but Karzai has said the effort must have Pakistan's backing to succeed.   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 |  Latest news Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial”  The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”.41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience.Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine.EU still discussing funding Armenia through European Peace Facility Discussions continue in the EU on providing Armenia with funds from the European Peace Facility, Vassilis Maragos says. |
