Iran, Georgia sign visa-free travel dealNovember 4, 2010 - 12:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - During his visit to Georgia, Iranian Foreign Minster Manouchehr Mottaki signed an agreement on visa-free travel to take effect January 2011. Speaking at a joint news conference with his Georgian counterpart Grigol Vashadze in Tbilisi, Iran's top diplomat said that the two countries are determined to strengthen economic cooperation. Iran and Georgia also agreed to resume direct flights between Tehran and Tbilisi. As a part of the visit, Mottaki is expected reopen an Iranian consulate in Georgia's Black Sea resort of Batumi, closed for decades. The revival of the diplomatic post, which operated in Batumi from 1883 to 1927, "will be helpful to deepening relations in various fields between the countries," Press TV quoted Mottaki as saying. 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 | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |