Simultaneous dialog with Moscow and Washington extremely hard for AnkaraNovember 10, 2008 - 12:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia and Turkey's activities in the Caucasus are interdependent, a Russian expert said. "Aspiration to realize strategic goals avoiding armed conflicts underlies the approach of both countries," Andrey Areshev, expert at Strategic Initiative Foundation, wrote in a piece of opinion titled "Stability in the Caucasus after five-day war: the role of Russia, Iran and Turkey." At that, Turkey will remain a member of NATO, a military bloc used by the United States as a tool to restrain Russia in the Caucasus and Black Sea regions. Under the circumstances it's extremely hard for Ankara to hold a dialog simultaneously with Moscow and Washington, according to him. "Turkey partakes in a plenty of regional peace initiatives. The five-day war proved insufficiency of force-oriented projects. Besides, the role of Georgia as a key transit element in the Caspian-Caucasus has been questioned, what in profound interest of Turkey which poses as a key transit link for energy transportation to Europe," Areshev said. 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 | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |