U.S., Britain join Georgia for drills ahead of NATO Response ForceMay 11, 2016 - 17:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - About 1,300 U.S., British and Georgian troops are conducting joint exercises aimed at training the former Soviet republic's military for participation in the NATO Response Force, the Associated Press reports. Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said at Wednesday, May 11's opening of the two-week exercises that his country would one day become a member of the Western military alliance. Georgia has 870 troops taking part in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan. Russia's Foreign Ministry last week called NATO's ongoing "exploration" of Georgian territory a "provocative step" aimed at destabilizing the region. The ministry statement noted that unlike last year, when the first such exercises were held, the U.S. forces brought Abrams tanks with them to Georgia. Georgia responded by saying that Russia's support for Abkhazia and South Ossetia is significantly more provocative. 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 | 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. |