Russian navy docks at French harbor for warship trainingJune 30, 2014 - 15:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Russian naval ship carrying 400 sailors docked Monday, June 30, at a French harbor to start weeks of training aboard a warship that France is selling to Russia as part of a criticized 1.2-billion euro ($1.6 billion) deal, the Associated Press reports. The Russian ship Smolniy docked just behind the warship Vladivostock in the Atlantic coastal port of Saint-Nazaire, where restaurants had translated their menus into Russians in order to welcome the contingent. The Russian sailors will spend the summer in Saint-Nazaire, learning how to operate Vladivostock. France says the ship can carry 700 troops, 16 helicopter gunships, and as many as 50 armored vehicles. French officials have said the Vladivostok is on track to be delivered by the last quarter of this year. A sister ship, the Sevastopol is scheduled to be delivered about a year later. The French president's office said last week that the sale of the Mistral class ships would not be included in any new sanctions against Russia but officials have refused to comment on any discussions with the U.S. or other allies. Related links: Related issues: 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. |