Sarkozy stands for NATO-Russia cooperation in creating joint missile defense systemSeptember 3, 2011 - 12:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - During a September 2 meeting with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, French President Nicolas Sarkozy held out for closer NATO-Russia cooperation in creating a joint missile defense system. “The NATO missile defense system can have an additional role to, but not be a substitute for the French nuclear deterrent. The President endorsed the proposal for cooperation with Russia on this matter,” Voice of Russia reported, quoting the French presidential press service. Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on September 1 that an agreement was reached agreement on the deployment of a radar in the country as part of NATO's missile defense system. NATO members agreed to an anti-missile system over Europe to protect against Iranian ballistic missiles at a summit in Lisbon last year. A compromise was reached with Turkey, which has cultivated close ties with its neighbor Iran and had threatened to block the deal if Iran is explicitly named as a threat. 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. |