Turkey candidate for EU leadership, minister saysMay 23, 2013 - 16:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey is not simply a candidate for European Union membership, but is a candidate for the union’s leadership, EU Minister Egemen Bağış said during his opening speech at the Town Twinning Workshop, a project aiming for international collaborations on local levels by partnering European and Turkish districts. According to Hurriyet Daily News, Bağış said Istanbul’s unique status as a “peaceful coexistence of all cultures and religions” makes it a vital player in the union membership process. Bağış highlighted the ongoing “multicultural existence of the city”, with “mosques and churches and synagogues” standing side by side, as well as its current “rise to stardom” by becoming “the European capital for sports and culture simultaneously in the same year.” 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 | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |