Merkel presses for solution to Russia-Ukraine gas disputeSeptember 23, 2014 - 14:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pressing for a solution to the long-running gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine ahead of a meeting of the two countries' energy ministers this week, the Associated Press reports. Though Merkel noted "small successes" in the overall effort to calm the crisis in Ukraine, she said a long-lasting solution remained far off. Speaking to business leaders Tuesday, Sept 23, she said the dispute over payments for past deliveries and future gas prices is one of many uncertainties that must be resolved "as quickly as possible." European Union energy commissioner Guenther Oettinger is brokering a new round of gas talks in Berlin on Friday. Moscow cut off gas deliveries to Kiev in June. Merkel said Europe's gas supply is closely linked with Ukraine's "and winter is nearing, so time is pressing." Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. 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. |