Austria opposes Turkey’s bid to join EU military projectJuly 27, 2021 - 18:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Vienna has objected to Turkey’s formal request in May to participate in one of the EU’s flagship defence and security policies, known as the Permanent Structured Cooperation Framework (PESCO), pointing to the country’s deteriorating democratic values and relations with the EU, Euractive reports. According to Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner, Turkey does not fulfil the admission requirements for third countries. “Article 2 of the treaty states clearly that the third state has to share the democratic values of the EU and has to have good neighbourly relations with the EU,” Tanner told Welt am Sonntag. Tanner also emphasised that there is currently no dialogue between Turkey and the EU on key defence and security issues. “Hence I don’t believe that Turkey will be participating in the EU defence policy in the near future,” Tanner said. The EU started to welcome third countries to PESCO in autumn 2020 in order to foster cooperation and interoperability with NATO partners and to “improving military mobility within and beyond the EU,” the EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said in May. The US, Canada and Norway are already participating in the PESCO project. 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 | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |