Barroso closes Turkey’s window to EuropeSeptember 22, 2010 - 12:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Turkey's ambitions to join the bloc are being thwarted because of cultural differences and a change in attitude toward Turkey, Reuters reported. “There are some big questions about the membership of Turkey because of cultural differences and that is something that is extremely serious. We are now discussing this matter with our member states... Turkey recognizes that not all benchmarks have been met - this is the first issue. The European Commission is very much in favor of the enlargement of the European Union but we have to see all the members meet all criteria,” Barroso said. Turkey's application to join the 27-nation EU has met with European resistance for years because of Turkey's human rights record and friction with Cyprus, an EU member that Turkey does not recognize. 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. |