NATO Strengthening Relations with Partners in South Caucasus and Central AsiaDecember 19, 2005 - 17:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "The fourth area of NATO's transformation that I wish to highlight is the geographic dimension. Now more than ever before, we need to look at certain countries and regions through a common transatlantic lens," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stated when addressing Bilkent University in Ankara. "This is true for South-East Europe, for Russia and Ukraine, for the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as for Northern Africa and the Broader Middle East Finding ways to help positive change in these regions, to foster democracy and stability, should be a joint transatlantic effort or it won't stand much chance of success," the NATO Secretary General said, NATO press office reported. 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 | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |