Georgia Ranks First in Armament RaceJune 13, 2006 - 18:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia is the world leader in military expenditures, says the annual report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SPRI) engaged in the investigation of the armament market. Tbilisi's expenditures for armament increased 2.5 times during a year and made $146 million. Compared with the United States, China, Russia, European states and Near East the amount is not much but Georgia left behind its neighbors - Azerbaijan (with 51% growth) and Armenia (23% growth). The SPRI specialists condition the sharp growth of expenditures with Georgia's wish to join the NATO. However they also mention Georgia's aspiration to re-subordinate Abkhazia and South Ossetia, reported the BBC News. 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 | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |