US Assistant Secretary to visit Armenia on June 9June 5, 2009 - 12:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Dr. Philip Gordon, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, will travel to the South Caucasus next week, visiting Armenia on June 9. The purpose of the visit is to discuss regional and bilateral issues. During his visit, Dr. Gordon will meet with government officials, civil society representatives, and other local figures. Following his trip to Armenia, Dr. Gordon will visit Georgia and Azerbaijan. This is Dr. Gordon's first visit to the South Caucasus as Assistant Secretary. He assumed office on May 15, 2009, replacing Daniel Fried. Before joining the State Department, Dr. Gordon was a Senior Fellow from 2000-2009 at the Brookings Institution, in Washington, DC, where he focused on European and U.S. foreign policy issues. Prior to joining Brookings, Dr. Gordon served as Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council in the Clinton Administration. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Armenia recalls Belarus envoy for consultations Armenian Ambassador to Belarus has been called to Yerevan for consultations, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry reveals. Armenia denies Azerbaijan's ceasefire accusations The Armenian Defense Ministry has denied Azerbaijan's accusations of violating the ceasefire. Armenia will leave Russian-led military bloc, says Pashinyan Armenia will leave the Russian-led Collective Security Organization, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, without giving any dates. EU encourages Armenia to prioritize strategic projects The EU has encouraged Armenia to prioritize strategic projects, according to a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry. |