Merkel calls for Serbia-Kosovo dialogueAugust 20, 2011 - 14:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she will push for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo when she visits Belgrade next week. Merkel is to hold talks with Serbian officials on Tuesday, August 23, during a visit which follows a recent spike in tensions with Kosovo, a former province that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Merkel said in her weekly video podcast Saturday that she will call "for dialogue with Kosovo to be resumed." She added that "there can be no European perspective for this region if all do not make efforts - even though the scars of the past still have deep and difficult effects." Merkel's trip also will take her to neighboring Croatia, which has been cleared to join the European Union in 2013, the Associated Press 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. |