Turkey may pay $5 bn compensation for downed Russian bomberAugust 23, 2016 - 11:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey can pay Russia compensation worth $5 billion for the downed plane, the Cumhuriyet newspaper cited former President Abdullah Gul's ex-adviser Ahmet Takan as saying. The crisis in relations between the two countries began after Turkey shot down a Russia Su-24 bomber aircraft near the Syrian border. Tensions eased after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered condolences to Russia and apologized. The Presidents of Turkey and Russia met in St. Petersburg on August 9. The meeting served as the beginning of restoration of “axis of friendship” and clean slate between Ankara and Moscow. 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. |