EU, Balkan leaders agree to expand border operations, provide shelterOctober 26, 2015 - 10:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European and Balkan leaders agreed on measures early Monday, October 26, to slow the movement of tens of thousands whose flight from war and poverty has overwhelmed border guards and reception centers and heightened tension among nations along the route to the European Union's heartland, the Associated Press reports. In a statement to paper over deep divisions about how to handle the crisis, the leaders committed to bolster the borders of Greece as it struggles to cope with the wave of refugees from Syria and beyond that cross over through Turkey. The leaders decided that reception capacities should be boosted in Greece and along the Balkans migration route to shelter another100,000 refugees as winter looms. They also agreed to expand border operations and make full use of biometric data like fingerprints as they register and screen migrants, before deciding whether to grant them asylum or send them home. "The immediate imperative is to provide shelter," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said after chairing the mini-summit of 11 regional leaders in Brussels. Nearly 250,000 people have passed through the Balkans since mid-September. "This is one of the greatest litmus tests that Europe has ever faced," German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters after the summit. "Europe has to demonstrate that it is a continent of values and of solidarity." But the country that many say is another key source of the flow — Turkey — was not invited, and some leaders said that little could be done without its involvement. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |