Russia sets conditions to NATOApril 20, 2009 - 23:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia intensified pressure on NATO to call off planned military drills in Georgia yesterday, saying it would cancel forthcoming high-level talks with the US-led alliance if the exercises went ahead.Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's NATO envoy, said the military maneuvers in Georgia, a former Soviet country that aspires to NATO membership, were a "provocation". "If there is no reaction [to Russia's complaint], we will take certain steps. I can already reveal one of these. The Russia-NATO meeting of general heads of staff planned for May 7 will not take place," he told Russia's Vesti-24 television channel. Moscow sees the NATO exercises, to be held at an infantry base outside Tbilisi from May 6 to June 1, as a sign of support for Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia, FT reported. 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. |