EU increases aid to Syrian refugees by $280mlnSeptember 24, 2014 - 11:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union is increasing its aid to those affected by the civil war in Syria by 215 million euros ($280 million), the Associated Press reports. The EU Commission said Tuesday the new funding includes 50 million euros for humanitarian aid and 165 million euros to support long-term development projects in Syria and the neighboring countries hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees. The 28-nation bloc's executive arm said the humanitarian assistance will also help the more than hundred thousand Syrians who fled from advancing Sunni extremists to seek refuge in Turkey over the past few days. EU Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said "the conflict in Syria continues unabated, and the needs of the Syrian people grow inexorably." Almost 3 million Syrians have fled their homeland since the start of the conflict there in 2011. Related links: 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 | 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. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |