Azerbaijan not ruling out EEU membership, Foreign Minister saysOctober 1, 2015 - 11:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan doesn’t dismiss the possibility of joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), but is sure to face certain challenges, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister told Sputnik news agency. "Never say never," Elmar Mammadyarov said on Wednesday, Spetember 30, commenting on the issue. Mammadyarov explained that Azerbaijan is focused on "building more comprehensive cooperation" within the Eurasian bloc. According to the UN international trade statistics, Russia is among the top five importers of Azeri goods. Besides, Azerbaijan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States free trade zone with Russia. The EEU is an integrated trade zone including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Armenia's membership in the EEU presents “an extremely serious obstacle” for Azerbaijan’s involvement, Mammadyarov noted. 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 | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |