NATO chief hails U.S.-Turkey “closer cooperation” in SyriaSeptember 9, 2016 - 13:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO chief welcomed on Thursday, September 8 closer cooperation between its key partners U.S. and Turkey in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, Anadolu Agency reports. Speaking at the National Parliamentary Library Tbilisi in Georgia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: “I welcome closer cooperation between the different countries in the coalition fighting ISIL [Daesh] and especially between U.S and Turkey because they are key in the fight against ISIL to NATO allies. “And I think it is of great importance that they work closer together in the fighting against ISIL, also of course in Syria.” He underlined that NATO would continue to fight against all terrorist organizations and any threat against its allied countries. He also said NATO had increased its presence in Turkey to increase its capability to protect itself against different kind of attacks. Stoltenberg added the ongoing turmoil in Syria had affected Turkey. “Turkey, a NATO ally, is perhaps most affected by the turmoil, the violence and presence of ISIL in Iraq and Syria,” two countries which lie on Turkey’s borders, he added. On Aug. 24, Operation Euphrates Shield was launched, which aims at improving security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the terror threat along Turkey’s border using Free Syrian Army fighters backed by Turkish armor, artillery and jets. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. |