ARMENIA PLAYS EXCEPTIONAL ROLE IN "PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE" NATO PROGRAMMay 15, 2003 - 19:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia plays an exceptional role in "Partnership for Peace" NATO program, and the decision to hold "Cooperative Best Effort - 2003" military exercises in the country this June will benefit not only Armenia, but also the whole of the region. NATO secretary general George Robertson told journalists upon his arrival in Yerevan last evening. In his words, Armenia's active cooperation with the NATO will let the North-Atlantic Alliance provide greater support to the republic. Commenting on the creation of the Organization of the Treaty on Collective Security (OTCS), Robertson noted the NATO welcomed efforts of all countries to ensure their own security on individual and collective bases. "I do not think the OTCS will compete with the NATO, it will rather complete the activities of the North-Atlantic Alliance and will contribute to common security," - he said. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |