Germany optimistic Turkey will let lawmakers visit Incirlik baseSeptember 5, 2016 - 16:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry on Monday, September 5 said he was optimistic that Turkey would end its ban on German lawmakers visiting German troops working at a NATO air base in Turkey, but said no specific response had yet been received from Ankara, Reuters reports. Spokesman Martin Schaefer said there had been intense discussions between German and Turkish officials about the issue, which had threatened to jeopardize German participation in the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State. "We are optimistic and hope and expect that all the desired visits by German lawmakers for Incirlik or other sites will be approved by Turkish officials," Schaefer told a regular government news conference. "But we don't know that yet for certain." 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. |